Winston churchill was no adonis but most of his portraitists did what they could to flatter him.
Winston churchill 80th portrait painting. The international churchill society ics founded in 1968 shortly after churchill s death is the world s preeminent member organisation dedicated to preserving the historic legacy of sir winston churchill. However when the british artist graham sutherland 1903 80 was commissioned to paint a full length portrait of churchill in 1954 for 1 000 guineas about 27 000 today paid by the house of commons and the house of lords and to be presented in a lavish public ceremony things did not go well. Winston churchill diplomatically commented of graham sutherland s portrait of him that it was a great example of modern art unofficially he and his wife clementine hated it. At the birthday celebrations at westminster hall in november 1954 churchill was presented with a portrait by graham sutherland commissioned by past and present members of the house of commons and the house of lords.
In 1954 the english artist graham sutherland was commissioned to paint a full length portrait of sir winston churchill the 1 000 guinea fee for the painting was funded by donations from members of the house of commons and house of lords. At a time when leadership is challenged at every turn that legacy looms larger and remains more relevant than ever. Graham sutherland s portrait of winston churchill is probably one of the most famous lost works of art in british history so it s little wonder it made an appearance in netflix royal. The sutherland portrait a present for churchill s 80th birthday.
The painting was presented to churchill by both houses of parliament at a public ceremony in westminster hall on his 80th birthday 30 november 1954. The painting hated by sir winston s family was until now understood to have been disposed of by clementine churchill who strove to carefully control the politician s reputation after his death. In episode nine the houses of parliament commission a portrait by british modernist graham sutherland to present to churchill on as an 80th.