Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

The Portrait That Enraged Churchill Now Up for Auction

Daniel Kim Views  

영국 화가 그레이엄 서덜랜드가 그린 윈스턴 처칠 초상화 습작. 사진=소더비
A portrait sketch of Winston Churchill by British artist Graham Sutherland.

A portrait sketch of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which he famously burnt in a fit of rage, calling it “horrible and malicious,” is about to go up for auction.

According to The Guardian and other UK media outlets, on the 16th (local time), the sketch by British painter Graham Sutherland will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s in London on June 6. The auction house’s expected winning bid is $696,000 to $1.1 million.

The British Parliament commissioned the portrait from Sutherland, a renowned painter of the time, in November 1954 to commemorate Churchill’s 80th birthday. Sutherland worked for several months at Churchill’s residence, creating numerous sketches and oil drafts for the final piece, one of which is the sketch appearing in this auction.

Sutherland and Churchill first met when the portrait was commissioned. At the time, Churchill famously asked Sutherland, “How will you paint me, as an angel or a bulldog?” The latter, bulldog, was a nickname given to Churchill due to his appearance and temperament. Sutherland responded, “It depends on the image you present,” and it is said that Churchill consistently presented himself as a bulldog.

During the creation process, Churchill repeatedly requested to see the portrait but was continually denied by Sutherland. Despite this, the two became friends. However, when the eagerly anticipated artwork was completed, Churchill was reportedly distraught after seeing the final piece, which depicted him as depressed and aging.

Churchill did not like the portrait then and threatened Sutherland that he would not attend the unveiling ceremony. He eventually participated, but he sarcastically called the portrait “a remarkable example of modern art” in front of the members of Parliament.

The portrait, originally intended to be hung in Parliament, was moved to the basement of Churchill’s residence due to his fury. The secretary’s sibling later took it into the garden in the middle of the night and burned it in front of Churchill’s wife, Clementine.

The sketch up for auction was given by Sutherland to art critic Alfred Hecht. Hecht kept it before passing it on to its current owner. It has not been confirmed whether Churchill ever saw this sketch during his lifetime.

Before the auction in June, the sketch will be displayed at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, famously known as Churchill’s birthplace.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LATEST] Latest Stories

  • BMW's Next-Gen EV: The Bold New i3 Touring Concept Revealed
  • LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car: A 1,361-Piece Tribute to Ferrari’s 2024 F1 Season
  • Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Just Took the Top Spot in J.D. Power’s EV Ownership Study
  • Jeep’s Recon: The Next-Gen 600HP Electric SUV Ready to Tackle the Market
  • Tesla Issues Recall for 376,000 Vehicles Due to Steering Assist Malfunction
  • Ferrari Reveals 499P Livery and Driver Lineup for 2025 World Endurance Championship

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Is Barefoot Walking the Secret to Better Circulation and Less Stress?

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Actress Swears by Morning Saltwater—Doctors Say Don’t Overdo It

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    Sweet and Salty? Tastes Great, But Here's What It's Doing to Your Body

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Yogurt: Diet Savior or Sneaky Saboteur? Here's What You Should Know

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Is Barefoot Walking the Secret to Better Circulation and Less Stress?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Actress Swears by Morning Saltwater—Doctors Say Don’t Overdo It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Sweet and Salty? Tastes Great, But Here's What It's Doing to Your Body

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Yogurt: Diet Savior or Sneaky Saboteur? Here's What You Should Know

    LIFESTYLE