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This unique pen-and-ink portrait of Winston Churchill is the only known portrait of Britain’s
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Description
This unique pen-and-ink portrait of Winston Churchill is the only known portrait of Britain’s greatest wartime leader that he personally signed.
Now, to mark the 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth in November 2024, Trevillion will be putting his work up for auction at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, and part of the proceeds will be donated to selected charities.
The portrait work of art measures 26cm x 28cm and remains in the original frame made by Robert Sielle in December 1955 the original labels of provenance on the back.
This artwork has a remarkable history as recalled by Paul Trevillion: ‘In October 1955 Bernard Sunley advised my employer – Laszlo Hoenig – that he had sent his friend Winston a pen-and-ink drawing of the great man which I had completed for Churchill’s 81st Birthday.
A few weeks later the phone rang at Laszlo Hoenig’s Design Studio. It was Winston Churchill. I was handed the phone and the voice on the other end of the line said “Be at the Bernard Sunley buildings, Berkeley Square next Wednesday 10.30. Oblige!”
When Laszlo and I walked into Bernard Sunley’s office, Churchill was seated. He put his hand out – it seemed much smaller than I had imagined, I shook it and he asked “When were you born?” I said “1934″ “So, you are a boy from the BLITZ!” Churchill let go of my hand. “Were you afraid?” I said “No I wasn’t afraid, because your confident smile reassured everyone we would win the war.”
Churchill picked up his portrait again. “Is this a pen and ink, chalk wash portrait?”
“No” I replied, “No chalk wash!” “But the Masters, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, used black and red chalk wash. Are you telling me you did this with just black ink?” I said
“Yes it’s the only medium I work with.” For the first time, Churchill’s face took on his wartime expression and he said “This work should be hanging in the National Portrait Gallery”
In view of this praise, I tentatively asked, “Sir, could I have it in writing that you like my portrait so much?”
Churchill smiled, “I will do better than that young man, and I will SIGN it!”
“There have been portraits painted of me over a period of many years – they vary in style and quality – but one work in particular has given great pleasure to both myself and my wife Clementine.
“It is this remarkable Pen and Ink Drawing by Paul Trevillion or – ‘The Boy from the Blitz’ as I call him – and he has captured the twinkle in my eye that Clementine tells me has been missing of late.
“I am pleased to endorse this work and for the very first time I have personally signed a portrait of myself and it would not be out of place hanging in the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square”.
Sir Winston Churchill, Mayfair, London – November 1955
Website: https://winstonchurchill150-com
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This unique pen-and-ink portrait of Winston Churchill is the only known portrait of Britain’s greatest wartime leader that he personally signed.
Now, to mark the 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth in November 2024, Trevillion will be putting his work up for auction at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, and part of the proceeds will be donated to selected charities.
The portrait work of art measures 26cm x 28cm and remains in the original frame made by Robert Sielle in December 1955 the original labels of provenance on the back.
This artwork has a remarkable history as recalled by Paul Trevillion: ‘In October 1955 Bernard Sunley advised my employer – Laszlo Hoenig – that he had sent his friend Winston a pen-and-ink drawing of the great man which I had completed for Churchill’s 81st Birthday.
A few weeks later the phone rang at Laszlo Hoenig’s Design Studio. It was Winston Churchill. I was handed the phone and the voice on the other end of the line said “Be at the Bernard Sunley buildings, Berkeley Square next Wednesday 10.30. Oblige!”
When Laszlo and I walked into Bernard Sunley’s office, Churchill was seated. He put his hand out – it seemed much smaller than I had imagined, I shook it and he asked “When were you born?” I said “1934″ “So, you are a boy from the BLITZ!” Churchill let go of my hand. “Were you afraid?” I said “No I wasn’t afraid, because your confident smile reassured everyone we would win the war.”
Churchill picked up his portrait again. “Is this a pen and ink, chalk wash portrait?”
“No” I replied, “No chalk wash!” “But the Masters, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, used black and red chalk wash. Are you telling me you did this with just black ink?” I said
“Yes it’s the only medium I work with.” For the first time, Churchill’s face took on his wartime expression and he said “This work should be hanging in the National Portrait Gallery”
In view of this praise, I tentatively asked, “Sir, could I have it in writing that you like my portrait so much?”
Churchill smiled, “I will do better than that young man, and I will SIGN it!”
“There have been portraits painted of me over a period of many years – they vary in style and quality – but one work in particular has given great pleasure to both myself and my wife Clementine.
“It is this remarkable Pen and Ink Drawing by Paul Trevillion or – ‘The Boy from the Blitz’ as I call him – and he has captured the twinkle in my eye that Clementine tells me has been missing of late.
“I am pleased to endorse this work and for the very first time I have personally signed a portrait of myself and it would not be out of place hanging in the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square”.
Sir Winston Churchill, Mayfair, London – November 1955
Website: https://winstonchurchill150-comThe Unique Signed Winston Churchill Portrait
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1
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Viewing via appointment only
Winston Churchill Portrait in Pen & Ink by Paul Trevillion, signed by Winston Churchill.
To mark the 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth in November 2024, Trevillion will be putting his work up for auction at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, and part of the proceeds will be donated to selected charities.
Auction Venue: The RAF Club, Piccadilly, London - BY INVITATION ONLY
Auction events | Information
November 6, 10am-4pm: View the Churchill portrait by appointment at St James, Street, London.
To book an appointment, email: charles@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
November 14, 5.30-8pm: Talk by Charles Hanson on the Churchill portrait at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom. To book a place, call 01283 733988 or email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
Enquiries: charles@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
Website: https://winstonchurchill150-com
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