Collection: Richard LeSesne

Historic black and white photographs by Richard LeSesne featuring iconic moments in American auto-racing history on the beaches of Daytona Beach and Volusia County.

Artist Biography:

Richard LeSesne’s black and white photographs were discovered in archives and restored to reveal stunning images of life in Daytona Beach during the early first half of the 20^th century. His images beautifully frame the setting of a coastal town with big ambitions and a knack for showmanship. Crowds gather round to get a sneak peak of the new vehicular technology and line up for the races where the fastest cars of the time period rush by eager onlookers. 

Daytona’s historic beach races became a cornerstone of the local culture and the birthplace of a beloved American sport and pass-time thanks to, in large part, the work of Richard LeSesne. A resident of Daytona Beach, his photographs beautifully capture the excitement and energy of everything from Sir Malcolm Capmbell’s record breaking times in the original Blue Bird (and it’s successive models) to the first official races on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1936. Photography had taken center stage as a new and considerable force to be reckoned with in the arts world during that time, but blurry movement and fuzzy backgrounds were still a common obstacle. Richard LeSesne’s crisp action shots are a testament to his photographic abilities and subsequently helped launch the racing culture that has become so integral to Daytona Beach and Volusia County as a whole.