German Automobile Nr. 24
Gouache on paper
De Bruyne, also known as Dexter Brown, is a British painter who was educated at the Harrow School of Art. He has two ‘painting personalities’; firstly, De Bruyne, the impressionist artist (popular in America) that confines himself to the golden period of motoring up to the Second World War. Secondly, Dexter Brown, the near photographic to abstract artist (popular in England) that focuses on the early days of motoring up to the present time. As an artist he is most well-known for painting celebrities and racing cars with commissions from clients such Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Rolls-Royce and British Leyland.
De Bruyne’s impressionist depiction of an automobile (with number 24) racing at high speed is enhanced by an Imperial German flag coloured road and an enamoured goddess that seems to guard and guide the automobile during its speedy travels. We can only assume that the car in question is of German origin. This excellent use of colour and the technique of splitting the car into another shape is characteristic of De Bruyne’s dynamic art.