This week I have a very unusual and some would say historic picture. It is a print of a painting by John George Spencer-Churchill of his uncle Sir Winston Churchill.
The original picture was painted in June of 1945 and has Sir Winston sitting reading the newspaper whilst smoking one of his much-favoured cigars. This print has a handwritten dedication to B L Matthews, signed by the artist and is dated 1986.
John Spencer-Churchill was born in London on 31st May 1909. He was the son of John Strange Spencer-Churchill (Winston Churchill’s brother) and Lady Gwendoline Theresa Mary Bertie. His sister, Clarissa, later married Anthony Eden and ultimately became Countess of Avon.
He was educated at Harrow School and then went on to Pembroke College, Oxford and following his graduation became a stockbroker in the City of London in the firm of Vickers Da Costa, of which his father was a partner. Johnny, as he was affectionately known, was exceedingly unhappy as a stock broker and desperately wanted to pursue his artistic leanings.
Through a cousin he was offered a commission to paint a mural in a large country house, this was his chance to break free … and he did. He spoke in private to one of the senior partners, explaining his desire to follow a career as an artist but not wanting to let his father down, the old man sent him off with his support and told him not to worry about his father.
Johnny left the firm of Vickers Da Costa at the end of 1931 and only ever returned in 1955 when he was commissioned by the then senior partner to decorate the boardroom at their offices, in King William Street, with murals and frescoes, which are still there today.
He was apparently a very likeable character, being a softly spoken gentle and kind man who was extremely charismatic and had become a celebrated figure in and around Chelsea in the 1950’s.
He developed his skills from a very young age and even in his early years at both Harrow and Oxford was always to be found painting or sculpting something.
During the Second World War, Johnny was a Corps Camouflage Officer and in 1940 was despatched to Dunkirk. Upon his return he mentioned to his uncle that an armada of small boats would be needed to evacuate all the retreating allied soldiers.
After the war he set up and ran the now very successful London based internationally renowned interior design business, George Spencer. He was married four times and passed away in June of 1992 aged 83. He is buried with many of his other family members in Bladon Churchyard in Oxfordshire.
This beautiful little picture is currently available for sale in my showroom or in my online shop and is a real bargain at only £120.
Alternatively, as advertised in this paper, we now offer a leasing arrangement, so this along with all of our paintings, can be rented for a small fixed monthly rental fee.
This piece, along with many other great works, is available to view, purchase or rent at AntiqArt, the “preloved art” gallery at Holme Grange Craft Village or online at www.antiqart.co.uk or 0118 327 5421.
