Sir Winston Churchill, KG, DL, OM, CH, PC, MP (1874-1965)
John Singer Sargent, RA (Florence 1856 - London 1925)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
1925
Materials
Charcoal on paper
Measurements
725 x 585 x 70 mm
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1101408
Summary
Charcoal drawing on paper, Sir Winston Churchill, KG, DL, OM, CH, PC, MP (1874-1965) by John Singer Sargent, RA (Florence 1856 - London 1925). Half-length portrait, turned to the left, gazing at the spectator, wearing his robes as Chancellor of the Exchequer, by J.S. Sargent - charcoal on paper, signed and dated 1925 in a gilded wood frame. 1969 schedule. Churchill was an admirer of Sargent's art, copying a number of the pictures belonging to Sir Philip Sassoon, a close friend of both men. The portrait of Churchill in his robes as Chancellor of the Exchequer was commissioned by Sassoon as a gift to the sitter. Churchill wrote to his son on March 8th, 1925: "Philip [Sassoon] came here last night and fell into raptures over the Sargent drawing. I was hard put to it ro reconcile truth and politeness. I wanted to point out the awful concavity of my right cheek. However, one must not look a gift portrait in the mouth"
Full description
Winston Churchill was a keen artist and regularly practiced as a way to relax. He was particularly fond of Sargent's work and copied a number of Sargent paintings belonging to his friend Sir Philip Sassoon, a close friend of both men. This particular portrait of Churchill in the robes of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was commissioned by Sassoon as a gift to Winston. Churchill wrote to his son on March 8th 1925 of the portrait: "Philip [Sassoon] came here last night and fell into raptures over the Sargent drawing. I was hard put to it to reconcile truth and politeness. I wanted to point out the awful concavity of my right cheek. However, one must not look a gift portrait in the mouth"
Marks and inscriptions
signed and dated 1925
Makers and roles
John Singer Sargent, RA (Florence 1856 - London 1925), artist
Exhibition history
John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal, The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC, 2019 - 2020 John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, USA, 2019 - 2020