Lotus 72D - Art Screen Print - Emerson Fittipaldi Signed - Gold Leaf Edition of 50

50 years on from Emerson Fittipaldi's 1972 World Championship victory with Team Lotus, we were honoured and tremendously excited to be invited by Emerson Fittipaldi and Clive Chapman of Classic Team Lotus, to celebrate the car and the man, in a remarkable and beautiful collaboration with artist and photographer Alan Thornton. Alan has taken Classic Team Lotus's 72D into the studio and shot it beautifully at very high resolution on a large format camera. With his London based team using hand pulled screen printing, he has rendered the image onto St. Cuthbert’s Somerset archival paper, made in England, at a very large size: 1.5 metres wide and 1 metre high. Alan has used spot colours to maximise the intensity of the image and has rendered the gold parts of the livery in genuine 23.75 Carat Gold Leaf. The result is an imposing and incredibly beautiful handmade print, that delivers in equal and generous measure, the technical and engineering virtuosity of this revolutionary car, and the glamour of a truly golden age in F1.

Emerson took time out ahead of a shoot with Sky at Brands Hatch to sign the prints, and we enjoyed his warmth, wit and engaging modesty for a couple of hours, exploring amongst other things his close relationship with Colin Chapman and his views on F1 today. Each print has been meticulously signed by him in archive quality ink.

This print will be delivered from the UK. Local duties and taxes may be applicable on import to regions outside the UK. By purchasing this title, you agree and consent to your information being shared with Alan Thornton for use in the fulfilment of your order.

This fine art screen print is of the Lotus 72, raced by the Team Lotus in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship from 1970 to 1975, initially in the memorable red, white and gold of sponsor Gold Leaf and later in the iconic black and gold of John Player Special. Conceived by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe, the 72 is arguably the most significant and successful car designs in Formula 1 history, rewriting the rules of aerodynamic interpretation and influencing single-seater design to this very day. Mid-mounted radiators allowing Lotus founder Colin Chapman to create a more aerodynamic profile than anything which had come before. Tipping the scales at exactly 530kg, the very minimum allowed within the regulations, it was one of the lightest F1 cars ever. With a career spanning six seasons, the Type 72 made a remarkable one hundred forty-nine Grand Prix starts across 75 races, securing three Constructors’ Championships in 1970, 1972 and 1973, and two Drivers’ Championships in 1970 with Jochen Rindt and 1972 with Emerson Fittipaldi. The 72 earned 20 race wins and 19 further podiums in the hands of some of the finest drivers to have graced motorsport: Rindt, Fittipaldi, Reine Wisell, Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx.

Amalgam Collection and Alan Thornton

Amalgam is delighted to partner with artist Alan Thornton to introduce a collection of silkscreen prints. Precise and technical in nature, these prints isolate the subject, laying the image onto Alan’s signature metallic background, that focuses the viewer’s eye on the sculptural, organic qualities of iconic cars and planes. Alan’s obsession with form, function and beauty, combined with his enduring passion for all things automotive and mechanical, align perfectly with Amalgam’s mission.

The Process

Screen printing is the process of transferring a stencilled artwork onto a flat surface using a mesh screen, ink and a squeegee. Starting with the photography, the subject matter is composed and lit with the intermediate processes and the final print in mind - each step very much influences the final outcome. In post-production the image is refined and manipulated to create the final tonal variations needed for the separation of colours, which are then half toned which simulates continuous-tone imagery through the use of dots or lines, varying either in size or in spacing, thus generating a gradient-like effect. For each colour, a positive acetate is transferred to a silk screen frame coated in photosensitive emulsion. Following exposure, washing out and drying, the frame is mounted on a to print bed, and the chosen colour ink is then forced through the mesh with a squeegee by hand. This is a highly skilled craft process, sensitive to the touch, feel and technique of the printer, and as a result each print is unique.

Handling Your Print

Art screen prints are best handled by professional framers. We would always recommend framing your print with a box frame under UV protected glass or acrylic, which will give maximum protection. When removing your print from the tube, reach in with clean hands and gently twist the print to make it smaller, slowly pull the print out from the centre. Do not pull quickly at a corner as you may damage the corner. Try to physically handle the print as little as possible and, when you do, always make sure your hands are clean and that you support the print fully, as the paper can pick up dirt or crease. Try to avoid leaving the print rolled for any length of time.

Emerson Fittipaldi signed prints of the Lotus 72 are limited to just 50 pieces. This beautiful artwork has been created under licence and with the assistance from Classic Team Lotus. No frame is included. By purchasing this print, you agree and consent to your information being shared with Alan Thornton for use in the fulfilment of your order.