Draft Of Winston Churchill Portrait He Hated Heads To Auction After Being Hidden
Image via Sotheby’s
A rare portrait study of Sir Winston Churchill by British artist Graham Sutherland—one that the famous UK stateman would not have wanted anyone to lay their eyes on—is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s this June.
The preparatory oil on canvas, painted in 1954, features Churchill’s head in profile against a stark background, a style characteristic of Sutherland’s work. This piece was actually a stepping stone for a grander project—a final portrait commissioned by the Houses of Parliament to celebrate Churchill’s 80th birthday.
Unfortunately, that complete artwork wasn’t quite what Churchill had in mind. He famously deemed it “filthy and malignant,” and it was later destroyed in a fire. That makes this surviving study even more valuable; it’s a one-of-a-kind glimpse into Sutherland’s approach to capturing one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures.
Churchill, known for his bulldog-like demeanor and unwavering spirit, apparently asked the artist whether he’d be portrayed as a “cherub or the Bulldog.” Sutherland’s reply: “It entirely depends on what you show me, Sir.”
This very tension was explored in the popular Netflix series The Crown, which dramatized the creation and destruction of the final portrait.
The upcoming auction marks the first time this study will be offered for public sale in over seven decades. It was originally owned by Alfred Hecht, a prominent art dealer who had an eye for exceptional work. The current owner, who inherited the piece, has now decided to part ways with it. Experts estimate it could fetch between £500,000 and £800,000 (US$623,000 to US$998,000).
Beyond its monetary value, though, this portrait offers a unique chance to see Churchill in a more intimate light—not just a stoic statesman, but a man lost in his own thoughts.
Sotheby’s is currently giving art enthusiasts a chance to see the study before it slips back into solitude. Ahead of the Modern British and Irish Art Auction, the work is now on display at Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace, and will then travel to New York (May 3 to 16) and London (May 25 to June 5) for further viewings.
[via ARTnews, The Art Newspaper, Bloomberg, images via Sotheby’s]
