ALBAWABA - A remarkable portrait of Winston Churchill, considered one of the best depictions of the British man, is currently on public display at Blenheim Palace, Churchill's birthplace, before it heads to auction in June, announced Sotheby's on Tuesday.
Painted by artist Graham Sutherland as part of a special commission to celebrate Churchill's 80th birthday in 1954, the portrait focuses on the wartime prime minister's face, capturing a moment of contemplation during the challenges of his era. Sotheby's thinks the portrait could fetch up to £800000 (Around $996000) at auction.
Rare Winston Churchill portrait revealed ahead of auction
(Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
Displayed in the room where Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace, the painting offers viewers a look into the historical time and the man himself. Following its exhibition at Blenheim, the portrait will travel to Sotheby's showrooms in New York and London for public viewing before its auction on June 6.
Sutherland had originally gifted this artwork to Alfred Hecht, a known framer for British artists, who later passed it on to the current unnamed owner. Churchill, known for his attention to his public image, had a mixed relationship with portraits.
(Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
While he disliked the original commissioned piece for his 80th birthday, resulting in its destruction, this surviving portrait offers different portrayals of the statesman.
Andre Zlattinger, Sotheby's head of modern British and Irish art, remarked on the significance of the upcoming sale, describing it as an opportunity to own a piece of history and to see Winston Churchill in a different light, maybe a side not many know of. This portrait will change hands on June 6, maybe for the last in a long while.
