Rolls Royce's 'Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy Collection' unveiled

Completing the commission of 100 photographs inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy, one of the world’s most famous symbols, a true icon embodying beauty, luxury, style and elegance and which has adorned the prow of Rolls Royce Cars in the past as well, Rolls Royce has unveiled the final three images for the collection.

It all began with Lord Montagu, founder of Car Illustrated, commissioned resident artist, Charles Sykes to sculpt a mascot for his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Eleanor Valesco Thorton, Lord Montagu’s personal secretary and lover from whose image this very British legend is believed to originate is the final and most important player in the story.

In the year that celebrates the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls Royce offered Rankin full artistic license to create a modern and a personal interpretation of The Flying Lady. The final three images are based on The Whisperer, the earliest and the most personal of Charles Sykes figurines which include a confidential finger to the lips action, believed to be a sly nod to the long secrecy of Montagu’s 10 year love affair with Eleanor Thorton. As Rankin’s photography shows that even 100 years later the very sensual and evocative pose does not fail to excite and inspire.

A selection of images from The Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy collection is being showcased to the public at The Rankin Gallery, Los Angeles, USA from November 16 to November 23 2011. A wider selection of these iconic images is on display on the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show from November 18 to November 27 2011.