Barry Rowe

Barry Rowe (1938-2022) grew up near Jaguar’s factory in Coventry, where his father worked. Automobiles played a big role in his early life, and he often spent his Saturday mornings looking at the damaged racing cars left outside at the back of the factory, with the grass growing up around them.

After a career in advertising as an art director, Barry decided to become a freelance painter, and his success began with winning the prestigious Sotheby’s Art Award for a portrait of Juan Manual Fangio.

After winning the award, Barry won commissions from Louis Vuitton, Royal Mail, Royal Doulton and Royal Caribbean Lines, for whom he is now Artist in Residence, and is flown out specially for ships on their inaugural cruises.

In 1998, Barry painted his first poster for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, beginning an annual tradition covering both the Concours and the Tour.  This tradition continues to today.

Barry has also been invited to paint posters for the Meadow Brook Hall Concours in 2003, the Hillsborough Concours in 2006, and the 2003 and 2006 Monterey Historic Automobile Races.

His book, Atmosphere and Light: The Automotive Art of Barry Rowe was published in March 2004, and won a Gold Medal from the International Automotive Publishers Association in New York.

Barry’s clients included Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Chopard, and of course, Pebble Beach.

Last Art of Motoring Exhibition: Winter 2022 (Postumasly)