Churchill's painting for Vivien Leigh heads to auction
A painting by Winston Churchill, 'Roses in a Glass Vase', given to actress Vivien Leigh, is being auctioned at Sotheby's. Churchill, a passionate amateur painter, gifted the work to Leigh, with whom he was infatuated despite her marriage to Laurence Olivier. The two met in 1936 through producer Alexander Korda on the set of 'Fire over England', and remained friends until Churchill's death in 1965. The auction estimate is high due to the signature, the gossip, and the recipient's fame. The article also notes that former US President George W. Bush has taken up painting, with a current exhibition at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas titled 'Portraits of Courage', featuring portraits of first responders from 9/11. This follows his 2014 exhibition 'The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy'.
Key facts
- Winston Churchill painted 'Roses in a Glass Vase' for Vivien Leigh.
- The painting is being auctioned at Sotheby's.
- Churchill and Leigh met in 1936 via Alexander Korda.
- Churchill died in 1965.
- The auction estimate is high due to the signature, gossip, and subject.
- George W. Bush has an exhibition 'Portraits of Courage' at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
- Bush's 2014 exhibition was 'The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy'.
- Bush's portraits depict first responders from 9/11.
Entities
Artists
- Winston Churchill
- Vivien Leigh
- George W. Bush
- Adolf Hitler
Institutions
- Sotheby's
- George W. Bush Presidential Center
Locations
- Dallas
- United States