Rolls-Royce Commemorates the Legacy of Charles Robinson Sykes

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reflects on the life and legacy of Charles Robinson Sykes, creator of the Spirit of Ecstasy, marking 150 years since his birth.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks 150 years since the birth of Charles Robinson Sykes, the artist and sculptor whose work became central to the marque’s visual and emotional identity. His contribution represents the moment when engineering excellence at Rolls-Royce was first complemented by artistic expression, creating a cultural symbol that endures to this day.

Born on 18 December 1875 in Brotton, northern England, Sykes received his artistic training in Newcastle and later in London. He established himself early as a versatile illustrator, painter, and sculptor, producing both commercial and exhibition works. A substantial number of his drawings and artworks are now held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, confirming his significance within early twentieth-century British art.

Sykes’s most enduring legacy for Rolls-Royce is the Spirit of Ecstasy, officially introduced in 1911. Commissioned at the request of Claude Johnson, the company’s first commercial managing director, the figurine was conceived not merely as an ornament, but as a statement of character. Through its sense of movement, poise, and serenity, the sculpture articulated a new visual language for the marque, extending beyond mechanical achievement.

The origins of the Spirit of Ecstasy can be traced to an earlier work by Sykes, The Whisper, created for the personal Rolls-Royce of John Montagu. Both sculptures are closely associated with Eleanor Velasco Thornton, widely regarded as the model for these figures. This personal dimension adds depth to the story of the mascot, grounding its symbolism in the artistic and social context of the era.

Over time, the Spirit of Ecstasy evolved in form, scale, and material, adapting to changing automotive designs while retaining its essential identity. Through this emblem, Rolls-Royce established a reputation in which technology and aesthetics are inseparable, each reinforcing the other.

In commemorating this anniversary, Rolls-Royce highlights Sykes as the creative soul of the company, complementing the pioneering spirit of Charles Rolls and the engineering discipline of Henry Royce. That philosophy remains visible today in the marque’s Bespoke and Coachbuild commissions, where individuality and artistic expression continue to define the Rolls-Royce experience. One and a half centuries after his birth, Charles Sykes’s influence remains a living element of the brand’s identity.