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Lot Essay
Painted circa 1930-5, the view in the present work has been identified, by Mrs Annabel Elliot, as a terrace at the Villa d'Ombrellino, Mrs Keppel's Villa in Florence.
Churchill was a great traveller and during the 1930s, despite his many literary and demanding political commitments, enjoyed uninterrupted holidays in Europe, favouring the sunshine of the South of France. On these visits he would stay with friends, including Maxine Elliott at the Château de l'Horizon at Golfe-Juan, near Cannes, Daisy Fellowes at Les Zoraïdes at Cap Martin and La Dragonnière, the home of Lord Rothermere. Clementine did not enjoy Riviera life and Winston often travelled alone. Mrs Alice Keppel, a key member of London society through her friendship with the Prince of Wales, was also a close friend and Winston would have stayed with her in Florence. He never missed an opportunity to capture the view in paint and two views of the Villa d'Ombrellino are recorded; Fountain in a garden near Florence (The Lady Soames, DBE) and the present work.
The present work was included in the 1986 exhibition at the Dallas Museum which marked the presentation of the Winston Churchill Award to H. Ross Perot in recognition for his work to liberate American captives in Vietnam.
Churchill was a great traveller and during the 1930s, despite his many literary and demanding political commitments, enjoyed uninterrupted holidays in Europe, favouring the sunshine of the South of France. On these visits he would stay with friends, including Maxine Elliott at the Château de l'Horizon at Golfe-Juan, near Cannes, Daisy Fellowes at Les Zoraïdes at Cap Martin and La Dragonnière, the home of Lord Rothermere. Clementine did not enjoy Riviera life and Winston often travelled alone. Mrs Alice Keppel, a key member of London society through her friendship with the Prince of Wales, was also a close friend and Winston would have stayed with her in Florence. He never missed an opportunity to capture the view in paint and two views of the Villa d'Ombrellino are recorded; Fountain in a garden near Florence (The Lady Soames, DBE) and the present work.
The present work was included in the 1986 exhibition at the Dallas Museum which marked the presentation of the Winston Churchill Award to H. Ross Perot in recognition for his work to liberate American captives in Vietnam.