Eleanor Grosch – Mont Ventoux – Tour de France – Signed Digital Print

Description

An original signed digital print by the American illustrator and artist Eleanor Grosch, inspired by Mont Ventoux, one of the most famous and formidable climbs associated with the Tour de France.

A solitary cyclist is shown from behind, climbing a broad, pale mountain road that curves steeply away towards the upper right of the composition. Grosch strips the scene back to its essential visual elements: rider, road, roadside markers, mountain ridge and open sky. The result is unusually spare and atmospheric, with a strong sense of altitude and exposure.

The cyclist, dressed in a vivid red jersey and black shorts, occupies the central vertical axis of the image. His narrow bicycle and elongated body emphasise the steepness of the ascent, while the curve of the road creates a powerful sense of forward motion. The limited palette of pale grey, blue, black, red and muted ochre gives the composition a cool, exposed character appropriate to the high slopes of Ventoux.

Particularly distinctive are the roadside posts and marker stones. Grosch uses them not simply as topographical details but as part of the overall geometry of the image, balancing the vertical figure of the cyclist against repeated upright forms along the road. The stripped-back composition evokes the exposed upper reaches of Mont Ventoux, where vegetation thins and the landscape becomes increasingly stark.

Mont Ventoux occupies an exceptional place in Tour de France history. Rising above Provence, it is one of the race’s most recognisable climbs and has repeatedly served as the setting for decisive attacks, spectacular victories and episodes of extreme physical suffering. Its exposed summit roads, strong winds, heat and severe gradients have contributed to its reputation as one of professional cycling’s defining mountains.

Grosch does not attempt a literal portrait of a particular rider or historical stage. Instead, Le Tour: Mont Ventoux captures the essential experience of climbing the mountain: isolation, gradient, open sky and the apparent endlessness of the road. This more contemplative approach distinguishes the work from her busier Tour de France compositions featuring crowds and multiple riders.

The work is characteristic of Grosch’s distinctive graphic language, in which cyclists and landscape are translated into simplified geometric shapes, strong silhouettes and carefully controlled areas of colour. The road becomes almost abstract in its scale and curvature, while the cyclist is reduced to a sequence of vertical and circular forms that remain immediately legible.

Although digitally produced, subtle variations in surface texture across the road, mountain and sky give the image a tactile, print-like quality. The combination of flattened perspective, economy of line and carefully balanced colour reflects Grosch’s affinity with mid-century Modernist illustration and classic European sporting-poster design.

An especially elegant example of Grosch’s cycling imagery, with particular appeal to collectors of Tour de France memorabilia, Mont Ventoux cycling art and contemporary graphic illustration.

Cycling has genuine personal significance within Grosch’s work. Originally from Florida, she studied Fine Art at the University of South Florida before relocating to Philadelphia in 2005. In an early interview, Grosch specifically discussed her enjoyment of travelling around Philadelphia by bicycle, describing the city’s scale as particularly suited to cycling.

Grosch has subsequently established a successful career in American illustration and graphic design. Her work is particularly associated with simplified forms, strong shapes, pattern and carefully controlled colour, creating a distinctive contemporary interpretation of mid-century graphic design. Her clients have included Giro, Keds, Urban Outfitters, Starbucks and San Diego Zoo, and she was selected as one of Print magazine’s New Visual Artists in 2008.

Condition: Fine condition. The printed surface is clean and well preserved, with strong, unfaded colour. Signed and blindstamped.

Artist: Eleanor Grosch

Title: Le Tour: Mont Ventoux

Subject: Tour de France / Mont Ventoux / professional road cycling

Date: Contemporary

Medium: Digital print on paper

Size: 45.8 × 30.4 cm

Signature: Signed by Eleanor Grosch.

Blindstamp: With Eleanor Grosch’s blindstamp.

Authenticity: Personally curated by Daniel Hornsey for Hornseys. Every artwork is handled, inspected and authenticated in-house at our Ripon gallery. We wholly own all the artworks offered for sale.

SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE AT HORNSEYS

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering art prints and related works by American illustrator and designer Eleanor Grosch that meet high standards of authenticity, condition and visual quality. Our collection has been carefully selected to represent Grosch’s distinctive contribution to contemporary American illustration and graphic design, including her particularly appealing interpretations of cycling, architecture, travel, animals and narrative subjects.

Every item is individually examined, researched and catalogued before being offered for sale.

What Sets Us Apart

Authenticity and Provenance:
Each Eleanor Grosch print or related work is carefully assessed and accurately identified. Titles, signatures, edition details, inscriptions, printing information and provenance are recorded wherever available, helping collectors to buy with confidence. We take particular care to describe the printing process correctly and to distinguish digital prints from traditional screenprints, limited editions and other forms of original printmaking.

Expert Curation:
We wholly own every artwork that we offer. We trust our judgement, invest directly in the material we select and only offer works in which we have confidence. Our Eleanor Grosch collection has been individually selected for the quality of the imagery, condition and its representation of the artist’s distinctive graphic style.

Detailed Cataloguing:
Each item is described individually, with information provided on title or subject, medium, dimensions, signature, edition, date, condition and provenance wherever known. We research the context of individual designs where appropriate, particularly Grosch’s cycling imagery, architectural subjects and works inspired by places, professional road racing and contemporary urban life.

Customer Satisfaction:
We strive to provide an exceptional purchasing experience, combining knowledgeable descriptions, clear condition reports, secure packing and prompt delivery. Further information or additional photographs can be supplied where required.

Unconditional Returns Guarantee:
Every item is offered with our unconditional guarantee. Should you wish to return a work for any reason, it may be sent back within fourteen days of receipt. We ask that you notify us in advance and that the item is returned in the same condition in which it was received. A full refund will then be issued.

OUR COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND SERVICE

We understand the individuality, decorative quality and collectable appeal of Eleanor Grosch’s work. Every aspect of your purchase is therefore handled with care, from research, cataloguing and condition assessment to packing and delivery.

Free Expedited, Tracked and Insured UK Delivery:
All Eleanor Grosch prints and artworks are securely packed and sent using an appropriate tracked and insured service, ensuring that they arrive safely and promptly.

Fully Insured Worldwide Delivery:
International collectors can purchase with confidence through our reliable, tracked and fully insured worldwide shipping service.

EXPLORE OUR ELEANOR GROSCH COLLECTION

Explore our evolving collection of Eleanor Grosch art prints and illustrations. Grosch’s distinctive visual language combines simplified geometric forms, carefully controlled colour, pattern and an economy of line with a strong affinity for mid-century Modernist illustration and poster design.

Cycling forms a particularly engaging strand of her work, ranging from images celebrating everyday bicycle culture to designs inspired by professional road racing and famous European cycling landscapes. Other works explore architecture, city life, animals, travel and narrative subjects, all interpreted through Grosch’s immediately recognisable graphic style.

Whether you are an established collector, an enthusiast of cycling art, an admirer of contemporary American illustration and graphic design, or searching for an unusual and memorable gift, our collection offers the opportunity to acquire carefully selected examples of Eleanor Grosch’s work.

Established in 1976 and based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, Hornseys is an independent gallery and bookseller specialising in original art, prints, design, collectable books and historic material. Every item is handled, inspected and catalogued in-house at our Ripon gallery.