Cycling / Tour Denis LELIEVRE, known as PIC (1961), after Ar - Lot 213

Cycling / Tour Denis LELIEVRE, known as PIC (1961), after Arbre généalogique du Tour "90e anniversaire du Tour de France" / "Tronc-binoscope" Color lithograph, signed, dated 93, numbered 3/400 and dedicated 75 x 54 cm In 1993, for the Tour's anniversary, Jean-Marie Leblanc commissioned a commemorative work from his illustrator friend PIC. On the branches of a tree in the shape of a hexagon, the artist depicts the 49 winners as "zoziaux". From Garin "Le Moustachu" (1903) at the bottom to Miguel Indurain (1991-1992) at the top, they all sing the story of the world's greatest race. The year of their victory is on their paws, like a ring, in a green leaf. From 1919 onwards, they all wore yellow livery, and in the '20s, glasses on their foreheads. As for the champions of the first editions, they wear the jersey of their club (VCL), their country (Argentina for Petit-Breton), or yellow and black for Faber. A work matured down to the smallest detail. Three riders are more "winged" than the others: Robic, known as "the Radenac tit", and Kublër and Bahamontes, christened respectively, the Adliswill eagle and the Toledo eagle. It's worth noting that today's Tour bosses, Jean-Marie Leblanc and Jean-Pierre Carenso, are keeping a close eye on things, under the watchful eye of Jacques Goddet and Félix Lévitan. In the blue sky, on a long white cloud, the artist pays tribute to Desgrange and Géo Lefèvre, who created the Tour, and to Antoine Blondin, who gave it wings. One of the most beautiful and original works inspired by the Grande Boucle.