Scandalous Churchill Still Life Up for Sale
November 9 2020
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Times has published the scandalous story surrounding a still life by the wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill that is coming up for sale at Sotheby's this week. Jug with Bottles was gifted by the politician and artist to the American railway heir Averell Harriman in the 1930s. By this point Harriman was having an affair with Pamela Churchill, née Digby, the wife of Churchill's only son Randolph. She later married Harriman and the painting descended with her estate until her death in 1997.
The work is said to depict a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, a beverage that Churchill is said to have begun and ended the day with.
The painting will be sold on 10th November 2020 and carries an estimate of £150k - £250k.
Update - The painting sold for £983,000 (inc. premium).
