Chassis No. 187.012.03972/52

Hiro Yamagata, a Japanese artist born in Maizuru, Kyoto in 1948, was first known for his vibrant use of his silkscreen artwork. Upon moving to the United States in 1978, his art was quickly recognized and resulted in many well-regard works, including commemorating the hundredth memorial anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, producing the official portrait of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and even a series in collaboration with golfer Jack Nicklaus. In 1994, Yamagata premiered his new series, called "Earthly Paradise," which explores themes of natural beauty and harmony, featuring lush landscapes, vibrant colors, and dreamlike scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and serenity–all of which were painted on Mercedes 220 Cabriolet A's!

Undeterred by the car's rarity (just 1,278 Cabriolet A's were produced), Yamagata searched worldwide, gathering over 20 cars to complete his vision. Once the cars were sourced, they underwent a meticulous restoration process to return them to their factory correct condition. With the bodywork finished in white matte acrylic, Yamagata transformed the cars with his vibrant natural scenes. Yamagata himself explains his artistic inspiration saying that "some people say the scenes I paint are dreamy or psychedelic. I say, if you look closely... I'm just painting from nature."

This 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A, chassis number 3972, earned the name "Butterflies & Roses" for its captivating transformation into a kaleidoscopic masterpiece. This unique vehicle features a hand-painted acrylic finish adorned with vibrant, large-scale butterflies that appear poised for flight, offering a lively visual experience. This car was displayed at the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna, Austria, as part of Yamagata's acclaimed "Earthly Paradise" series that toured internationally, with exhibitions in Venice, Monte Carlo, Stockholm, Vienna, and Rome between 1995 and 1998.

Today, this 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A has completed Yamagata's vision of bringing machines into harmony with nature. With other artwork from the "Earthly Paradise" series rarely offered on the open market, "Butterflies & Roses" offers a compelling opportunity to enjoy it as a static art display at the center of any collection or as a rolling sculpture, truly honoring the artist's vision.