Details
This book is signed by Minnie S. Churchill.
Sir Winston Churchill began painting in 1915, and it became his lifelong passion. His works, which number over 500, are of remarkable quality and have received the most positive criticism in the English press. Had he signed his pictures ‘Jones,' the critic would still find himself pausing in front of them, noted one Sunday Times of London art critic in 1949. Another opined that At least a dozen of these pictures will stand against any of the best impressionists. This exclusive, comprehensive collection of the paintings of one of the greatest statesmen in history is licensed by the Churchill Heritage, which will provide marketing support. Written by the renowned art critic who catalogued all of Churchill's paintings shortly after his death, along with Sir Winston's granddaughter-in-law, this sumptuous art book collects all of the images painted by Churchill, primarily in oil on canvas, and in essence provides a look at his life story through his paintings. It also includes authoritative text by the authors, Sir Winston's complete 1925 essay Painting as a Pastime, and 40 rare, previously unpublished photographs of Churchill and his world, in both colour and black and white.
From Publishers Weekly:
After Churchill was forced to resign from the WWI British government in 1915 at the age of 40, he took up oils and dived almost completely into painting. Sir Winston certainly didn’t experiment much beyond shifting subject matters, but the "painting muse" that supposedly carried him out of his retirement depression seems to have been an overwhelming, transcendent influence on his later years. Published with the full cooperation of Churchill’s family, this impressive 9" x 12" book offers a large-scale retrospective of the grand statesman’s paintings. Its 500 full-color and black and white reproductions and photos are displayed smoothly throughout the glossy pages and described by precisely detailed captions. Coombs, former editor of The Antique Collector and a lifetime fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, provides historical background and political context for the sometimes-vivid oil paintings. Culled from Churchill’s first days of painting at his Sulley farmhouse (and holidays in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, the French Riviera and the United States), the paintings reflect a sincere interest in the meditative process of art-making, and are reminiscent of Monet, Cézanne and, when Churchill is at his best, perhaps Bonnard. Most are impressionistic landscapes or floral still lifes, along with the occasional portrait, such as one done in 1955 of Sir Winston’s wife, Clementine Churchill, and others of various secretaries or political colleagues. The enthusiastic foreword is written by Churchill’s only surviving child, Mary Soames. Two of Churchill’s essays seek to explain the impetus behind the political giant’s second life. As he put it: "We may content ourselves with a joy-ride in a paint-box."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author:
David Coombs is the world-renowned art critic and writer who catalogued all of Churchill's paintings shortly after the statesman's death in 1965. He is a columnist for the UK's authorative weekly trade paper, Antiques Gazette. He lives in Surrey, United Kingdom. Minnie Churchill is Winston Churchill's granddaughter-in-law and is the current chairman of the Churchill Heritage.
Additional Information
| Description | This book is signed by Minnie S. Churchill. Sir Winston Churchill began painting in 1915, and it became his lifelong passion. His works, which number over 500, are of remarkable quality and have received the most positive criticism in the English press. Had he signed his pictures ‘Jones,' the critic would still find himself pausing in front of them, noted one Sunday Times of London art critic in 1949. Another opined that At least a dozen of these pictures will stand against any of the best impressionists. This exclusive, comprehensive collection of the paintings of one of the greatest statesmen in history is licensed by the Churchill Heritage, which will provide marketing support. Written by the renowned art critic who catalogued all of Churchill's paintings shortly after his death, along with Sir Winston's granddaughter-in-law, this sumptuous art book collects all of the images painted by Churchill, primarily in oil on canvas, and in essence provides a look at his life story through his paintings. It also includes authoritative text by the authors, Sir Winston's complete 1925 essay Painting as a Pastime, and 40 rare, previously unpublished photographs of Churchill and his world, in both colour and black and white. From Publishers Weekly: After Churchill was forced to resign from the WWI British government in 1915 at the age of 40, he took up oils and dived almost completely into painting. Sir Winston certainly didn’t experiment much beyond shifting subject matters, but the "painting muse" that supposedly carried him out of his retirement depression seems to have been an overwhelming, transcendent influence on his later years. Published with the full cooperation of Churchill’s family, this impressive 9" x 12" book offers a large-scale retrospective of the grand statesman’s paintings. Its 500 full-color and black and white reproductions and photos are displayed smoothly throughout the glossy pages and described by precisely detailed captions. Coombs, former editor of The Antique Collector and a lifetime fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, provides historical background and political context for the sometimes-vivid oil paintings. Culled from Churchill’s first days of painting at his Sulley farmhouse (and holidays in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, the French Riviera and the United States), the paintings reflect a sincere interest in the meditative process of art-making, and are reminiscent of Monet, Cézanne and, when Churchill is at his best, perhaps Bonnard. Most are impressionistic landscapes or floral still lifes, along with the occasional portrait, such as one done in 1955 of Sir Winston’s wife, Clementine Churchill, and others of various secretaries or political colleagues. The enthusiastic foreword is written by Churchill’s only surviving child, Mary Soames. Two of Churchill’s essays seek to explain the impetus behind the political giant’s second life. As he put it: "We may content ourselves with a joy-ride in a paint-box." Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. About the Author: David Coombs is the world-renowned art critic and writer who catalogued all of Churchill's paintings shortly after the statesman's death in 1965. He is a columnist for the UK's authorative weekly trade paper, Antiques Gazette. He lives in Surrey, United Kingdom. Minnie Churchill is Winston Churchill's granddaughter-in-law and is the current chairman of the Churchill Heritage. |
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| Condition | New |
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