An iconic painting by Tony South of a chimp sitting on a Triumph motorcycle. Originally known as Triumph Engineering, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. was taken over by John Bloor in 1904 and has become Britain’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.
The chimp is an ode to Britannia, the original term used for Great Britain dating back to the 1st century BC and the painting as a whole, a mild skit on the romanticism of Empire, rise and fall. By the 2nd century, Roman Britannia became the female personification of the Island; a goddess armed with a trident, shield and wore a Corinthian helmet.
This work is currently available for purchase at the gallery. Please send any inquiries to: alyssa@rehs.com