Winston Churchill: A Passion for Painting
by Edwina Sandys

Since his paintings now sell for several hundred thousand dollars (and more) on the rare occasions when they appear on the market, it would not be appropriate to say that Winston Churchill is under-appreciated as an artist.

Nonetheless, his skill as a painter is not as widely recognized as his contributions as a leader and as a writer of history. I wanted to find a book that did justice to his interest in painting and his talent as a painter, and was thrilled to find this volume.

Winston Churchill, A Passion For Painting had its origin in a 2015 exhibit of his work at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis, which was supported by the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri.

This book includes more than 50 beautiful reproductions of paintings by Sir Winston. The text is written with charming intimacy by his granddaughter Edwina Sandys. It is as much as a pleasure to read in depth as it is to skim through the paintings.

NEWS UPDATE: In a news item that appeared on February 1, it was announced that Churchill’s painting “Tower of the Koutoubia Mosque” which Sir Winston gifted to FDR, and which is currently owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, will be offered at auction at Christie’s auction House on March 1. The projected selling price is in the range of $3 million. Yes, there’s quite a story behind this painting.