By Nii B. Andrews.
Two paintings executed in the great African city of Marrakech by Winston Churchill – the British political icon and winner of the 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature – were each sold for over three times its high pre auction estimate at Christie’s last Monday night.
The first painting, TOWER OF THE KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE became the most expensive painting by the former British prime minister to sell at auction, fetching nearly USD11.5 million after fees; it came from the collection of the film star, Angelina Jolie.
The second painting, SCENE AT MARRAKECH sold for close to USD2.6 million.
Churchill was a prolific painter and produced over 500 paintings but he started painting after his 40th birthday. Fifty of the paintings were dedicated to Moroccan subjects.
Even though some of his politics and writings continue to raise hackles, he was an ardent lover of Marrakech and especially the La Mamounia Hotel and its lush garden.
The painting SCENE AT MARRAKECH highlights “the chromatic intensity of the warm desert sand, which harmoniously contrasts with the blue stream in the foreground. The vivid greens of the vegetation in the background also bring color, life and energy to the otherwise typically sparse landscape of this scene in Morocco.”
Churchill gifted the painting to Marshall Montgomery; this was only the first time the painting had been displayed in public.
Nick Orchard an art expert opined that “the work stands among the best paintings executed by Churchill in the 1930s”.
The long shadows and warm tones of a sunset in Marrakech, are emphasized in THE TOWER OF THE KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE – perhaps drawing close attention to the impressive minaret, that still today dominates the skyline of the Red City.
The artist eschwed the clichéd aspects of orientalist painting.
This was the only painting made by Churchill during World War II; he gifted it to the then US President, FDR.
Prior to the Monday sale at Christie’s, Churchill’s previous record was USD 2.7 million from a 2014 sale at Sotheby’s London.
Greetings 🙂
these are amazing paintings of our beloved city, in a by gone era.
Those prices are mindboggling though 🙂
Thank you! I had no idea that this great man was a painter! Wow.By the way,I see that he was a “lefty” like me (see the photo in which he is featured painting)
Bonjour!
Winston Churchill was indeed a man of many parts!
Bonjour!
Winston Churchill was indeed a man of many parts!
It is intriguing that such an astute politician, realist to the very core had an exceptional flair with words, was imbued with dry & quick wit & to crown it all was a wonderful landscape artist!!
I love the subtle lilac & pink hues of both paintings. Very tranquil & with a hint of sleepiness.
Someone has bought an expensive piece of history & will most certainly enjoy his / her cache.
TYFS.