An exhibition opening in London offers a new perspective on Winston Churchill, focusing on his lesser-known role as an amateur painter. Featuring around 50 works selected from the approximately 500 paintings he created over his lifetime, this is the first major display of Churchill’s artwork since 1959.

Churchill, widely recognized for his leadership during World War II and his impact on British politics, took up painting as a personal refuge. He described it as essential to his well-being, saying, “If it weren’t for painting, I couldn’t live.” His paintings primarily consist of landscapes, showcasing vibrant scenes from locations such as the French Riviera, the Italian lakes, and Morocco.

Among the highlights is “Tower Of The Koutoubia Mosque,” the only piece Churchill completed during the Second World War. Created during a brief stopover in Marrakesh with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the Casablanca Conference in January 1943, the work captures a vivid sunset over the city and the Atlas Mountains in the background.

While many of Churchill’s paintings have been criticized for their lack of technical refinement—an aspect he acknowledged by referring to them as “daubs”—they remain of interest for the insights they offer into the personal life of a historical figure primarily known for his political and military achievements.

One particularly notable painting is “The Beach At Walmer,” completed in 1938. The scene depicts bathers on a stretch of the Kent coast where an old cannon, originally intended to defend against invaders, is pointed toward mainland Europe. This imagery has been interpreted as a symbolic warning about the looming threat of Nazi Germany, a warning Churchill issued long before the wider public was fully aware of the danger.

Pablo Picasso, who rarely praised the work of fellow artists, reportedly commended Churchill’s paintings in 1948, suggesting that if Churchill had pursued painting professionally, he would have had no trouble making a living. While experts and art critics often differ on the artistic merit of Churchill’s oeuvre, the exhibition underscores the enduring fascination with the man behind the statesman and offers a more intimate glimpse into his creative pursuits.