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Sir Winston Churchill: His Life and His Paintings
Sir Winston Churchill began painting during World War II, and it became his lifelong passion. His works, which number over 500, are of remarkable quality and have received the most positive criticism in the English press. "Had he signed his pictures 'Jones,' the critic would still find himself pausing in front of them," noted one Sunday Times of London art critic in 1949. Another opined that "At least a dozen of these pictures will stand against any of the best impressionists." This exclusive, comprehensive collection of the paintings of one of the greatest statesmen in history is licensed by the Churchill Heritage, which will provide marketing support. Written by the renowned art critic who catalogued all of Churchill's paintings shortly after his death, along with Sir Winston's granddaughter-in-law, this sumptuous art book collects all of the images painted by Churchill, primarily in oil on canvas, and in essence provides a look at his life story through his paintings. It also includes authoritative text by the authors, Sir Winston's complete 1925 essay "Painting as a Pastime," and 40 rare, previously unpublished photographs of Churchill and his world, in both color and black and white.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2019
Having recently visited the Churchill War Rooms, I stumbled across a fact that I'd been oblivious to and that's Churchill as artist. I was pretty much poleaxed. I stood there agog at the video sequence of his painting as they scrolled through the years. Honestly, I'd never thought of him beyond the stalwart image of wartime Britain.
As a collection and artist retrospective, this is impressive for the sheer number of color images reproduced--a couple hundred. It presents Churchill's life and art chronologically, so events and people he interacts with places he visits are woven together. Churchill took up painting during WWI after the Dardanelles disaster of Gallipoli while in the Admiralty and prior to reenlisting for the western front. He suffered from depression and even referred to it as 'Black Dog', a comforting term for a constant companion. His sister-in-law Gwendolyn suggested he paint a picture, and that was that.
Churchill's style is contemporaneous with his onset, post-Impressionistic. He had a passion for landscapes and grasp of light. But the more surprising thing was his use of color. I never would have suspected it. Bright and gayer than one would expect as the antidote for a depressive person or perhaps not.
He encouraged others to try and take up painting from world leaders like Eisenhower to average citizens in his 'Painting as a Pastime' articles. Churchill was a talented amateur and more impressive when viewed with everything else preoccupying his time, and I think his argument of the necessity of a productive pastime is excellent. That said, this quote by a 'well-known artist' in response to Churchill's exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, 1958, is spot on:
As a collection and artist retrospective, this is impressive for the sheer number of color images reproduced--a couple hundred. It presents Churchill's life and art chronologically, so events and people he interacts with places he visits are woven together. Churchill took up painting during WWI after the Dardanelles disaster of Gallipoli while in the Admiralty and prior to reenlisting for the western front. He suffered from depression and even referred to it as 'Black Dog', a comforting term for a constant companion. His sister-in-law Gwendolyn suggested he paint a picture, and that was that.
[...] I was forced to remain a spectator of the tragedy, placed cruelly in a front seat. And then it was that the Muse of Painting came to my rescue - out of charity and out of chivalry, because after all she had nothing to do with me - and said, 'Are these toys any good to you? They amuse some people.'
Churchill's style is contemporaneous with his onset, post-Impressionistic. He had a passion for landscapes and grasp of light. But the more surprising thing was his use of color. I never would have suspected it. Bright and gayer than one would expect as the antidote for a depressive person or perhaps not.
When I get to heaven I mean to spend a considerable portion of my first million years in painting, and so get to the bottom of the subject. But then I shall require a still gayer palette than I get here below. I expect orange and vermillion will be the darkest, dullest colours upon it, and beyond them there will be a whole range of wonderful new colours which will delight the celestial eye.
He encouraged others to try and take up painting from world leaders like Eisenhower to average citizens in his 'Painting as a Pastime' articles. Churchill was a talented amateur and more impressive when viewed with everything else preoccupying his time, and I think his argument of the necessity of a productive pastime is excellent. That said, this quote by a 'well-known artist' in response to Churchill's exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, 1958, is spot on:
'There are things here that only an amateur would let out of his studio but there are at least a dozen of these pictures which any professional would have given his ears to have painted.'
November 3, 2014
“Many people don’t realize that Winston Churchill’s greatest pastime was painting,” says Minnie Churchill, who is the director of Churchill Heritage, and also is his great granddaughter-in-law. “He once wrote: ‘Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and color, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end, or almost to the end, of the day.'”
Sir Winston painted extensively, producing more than 500 oils and exhibiting at London’s prestigious Royal Academy. The subjects of his paintings are delightfully varied. Painting came to him by chance relatively late in life, when he was 40. It was a very tough time in his career and life, when he was forced to resign as First Lord of the Admiralty. His wife Clementine would later say, “I thought he would die of grief.” It was then that painting grabbed him and opened up to him a complete new world, renewing the source of his great inner strength and enabling him to rise above the tough passages in his political life. He painted for the rest of his life.
This book updates David Coombs’ 1967 first book of paintings by Sir Winston Churchill. Thanks in particular to the efforts of Churchill’s youngest daughter Mary Soames, who also wrote the foreword, this volume is more complete than the first.
Enjoy the photos of all the paintings which are beautifully displayed in color and detail. The photos of Churchill and the scenes and people that he based the paintings on at the time are compelling snapshots of history. The stories supplying the background information about the paintings are so interesting.
The author writes a chronological narrative about Churchill’s life, and also treats us to reprints of Churchill’s own essays “Painting as a Pastime” and “Hobbies.” These essays reveal in his own words his heartfelt gratitude for discovering this passion. His feeling of fulfillment was less from the resulting paintings than from the process of creation. He delighted in how fully consuming the art of painting is, and how it heightens one’s sense of observation. He persuasively advocates the benefits of taking up new interests and hobbies later in life.
Tracking down the whereabouts of Sir Winston’s paintings has been Minnie Churchill’s focus, and her work continues. He gave away so many of his works of art to friends, family, and statesmen who he admired. Most recently, “Still Life with Orchids,” painted in 1936, was sold at auction for $1.2 million.
Thereby hangs a tale . . .
Sir Winston painted extensively, producing more than 500 oils and exhibiting at London’s prestigious Royal Academy. The subjects of his paintings are delightfully varied. Painting came to him by chance relatively late in life, when he was 40. It was a very tough time in his career and life, when he was forced to resign as First Lord of the Admiralty. His wife Clementine would later say, “I thought he would die of grief.” It was then that painting grabbed him and opened up to him a complete new world, renewing the source of his great inner strength and enabling him to rise above the tough passages in his political life. He painted for the rest of his life.
This book updates David Coombs’ 1967 first book of paintings by Sir Winston Churchill. Thanks in particular to the efforts of Churchill’s youngest daughter Mary Soames, who also wrote the foreword, this volume is more complete than the first.
Enjoy the photos of all the paintings which are beautifully displayed in color and detail. The photos of Churchill and the scenes and people that he based the paintings on at the time are compelling snapshots of history. The stories supplying the background information about the paintings are so interesting.
The author writes a chronological narrative about Churchill’s life, and also treats us to reprints of Churchill’s own essays “Painting as a Pastime” and “Hobbies.” These essays reveal in his own words his heartfelt gratitude for discovering this passion. His feeling of fulfillment was less from the resulting paintings than from the process of creation. He delighted in how fully consuming the art of painting is, and how it heightens one’s sense of observation. He persuasively advocates the benefits of taking up new interests and hobbies later in life.
Tracking down the whereabouts of Sir Winston’s paintings has been Minnie Churchill’s focus, and her work continues. He gave away so many of his works of art to friends, family, and statesmen who he admired. Most recently, “Still Life with Orchids,” painted in 1936, was sold at auction for $1.2 million.
Thereby hangs a tale . . .
August 28, 2014
A really marvelous book containing many of Winston Churchill's paintings. Not only was this man a genius in political and military matters, he was also quite an extraordinary artist and voluminous writer...a rare combination of traits for one individual. Churchill was always a man "on the go," so much so that he repeatedly burned both ends of the candle for more than 3/4 of a century...this is a rare look into the quieter moments in Churchill's life when he was able to sit down and just let go of the world and relax. This book was put together by the Chartwell Foundation, the legacy for all of Churchill's works and life...they have done a grand job. I really enjoyed perusing the paintings...it certainly added a dimension to this man that I had not understood before. I consider it an essential book to review for anyone really trying to understand the total personal of Winston S. Churchill.
June 17, 2012
I "read" this book in about a month; it's not a book you can curl up with or take with you as you travel, but what a wonderful book. It's nice to see something else about Churchill than his purported over-drinking or his military blunders. It makes a wonderful conversation piece and Churchill was really a wonderful painter.
July 26, 2015
He was a man who used every talent God gave him: 500 paintings, 43 books, 60 plus years in Parliament. Two stints totaling 9'years as Prime Minister & he just happened to save the Western world from Adolph Hitler. His painting obviously calmed his soul & allowed him to gain the inspiration he needed to win WWII. Just incredible...I never tire of anything Churchill.
February 3, 2009
Love the color photos of his work and I like the fact that this is an unusual book about Winston... out of the ordinary, but so fun to look at!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews