‘Sir Winston Churchill’ by Bernard Hailstone
January 2015 marks 50 years since the death of Sir Winston Churchill and this portrait is the January artwork of the month from the Parliamentary Art Collection – read more on the Parliament website
Winston Churchill (1874–1965) was a leading statesman, writer and orator who is best remembered for leading Britain to victory during the Second World War. In an influential political career that spanned 64 years, he held numerous ministerial positions and served as Prime Minister twice (1940–45 and 1951–55).
This portrait shows Churchill at the age of 81, during his second term as Prime Minister. It was painted in 1955 by Bernard Hailstone (1910–87) during sittings for a portrait of Churchill as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, an ancient ceremonial position that he held from 1941 until his death in 1965.