What You Need to Know: On view through December 31, 2024, Heather James Fine Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is presenting an exhibition of artworks by Sir Winston Churchill, the British statesman and former prime minister. “Winston Churchill: Making History, Making Art” features ten never-before-exhibited paintings by Churchill, the selection of works all originates from a single-family owner, which maintains the largest private collection of his works outside of the United Kingdom. Including landscapes, a still life, as well as an interior vignette, the exhibition provides a closer look at the artistic practice Churchill maintained for much of his life. Focusing his creative eye on landscapes around the world, as well as frequently employing the technique of painting en plein air, Churchill’s work within the present show provides a deeply personal and elucidatory context for one of history’s most famous men.

Why We Like It: The name Winston Churchill will certainly continue to reverberate throughout history, recalling a powerful statesman and major player within World War II. With such widespread political fame comes an unshakeable interest in the individual as a man and human, as well as his personal outlook on the world. “Making History, Making Art” allows visitors to do just that, to catch a glimpse of the world from the perspective of Churchill’s mind’s eye through his creative output. Bucolic and serene, Churchill’s choice of subject matter and resulting compositions offer a moment of respite—for the viewer and potentially for the artist himself. Comprised of pieces dated across decades, one can observe how he refined his practice and homed in on his own creative vision. Together, the show offers an unparalleled look into the internal world of one of history’s most important figures.

According to the Gallery: “Heather James is thrilled to present this superb selection of paintings by Winston Churchill. Not only was Churchill one of the greatest statesmen of the modern era, but his personal foray into painting showcased his inner workings with resulting artworks that are technically adept and aesthetically beautiful. These works read like pages out of his diary, mementos of the moments and places that were meaningful to one of the most important men of his day. We at Heather James have had the honor of working closely with Churchill’s family and his oeuvre in the past and consider his works a specialty of ours. It is a joy to be able to share these phenomenal examples.” —Jim Carona, Heather James Fine Art Co-Founder

See inside the exhibition and featured works below.

Installation view of “Winston Churchill: Making Art, Making History” (2024). Courtesy of Heather James Fine Art.

Installation view of “Winston Churchill: Making Art, Making History” (2024). Courtesy of Heather James Fine Art.

Winston Churchill, On the Rance, Near St. Malo (1921). Courtesy of Heather James Fine Art.

Winston Churchill, Riviera Coast Scene (ca. 1935). Courtesy of Heather James Fine Art.

Winston Churchill, By Lake Lugano (ca. 1945). Courtesy of Heather James Fine Art.

“Winston Churchill: Making Art, Making History” is on view at Heather James Fine Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, through December 31, 2024.