Museum gotta see ‘um

PUBLIC LECTURE AND VIEWING OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S PAINTINGS IN SAN FRANCISCO. Widely known as a great statesman, a Nobel Prize winner, and the subject of a recent Academy Award-nominated film, Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was also an avid painter. Churchill was age 40 when he began to paint — at one of the lowest moments of his life. It was June 1915, shortly after his forced resignation as First Lord of the Admiralty following the disastrous Dardanelles campaign. One Sunday afternoon, his sister-in-law Lady Gwendoline handed him a paintbrush belonging to his young nephew. In his 1921 essay “Painting as a Pastime,” Churchill recalled: “And then it was that the Muse of Painting came to my rescue.” Painting provided a refuge from the stresses of politics and journalism, and from what Churchill called “the black dog” of depression. Moreover, Churchill saw painting as a testing ground for leadership strengths such as audacity, humility, foresight and strength of memory. Those interested in this aspect of his life have a chance to view eleven oil paintings that Churchill created from the 1920s to 1940s, from the collection of the family of the late Julian Sandys, the eldest of Churchill’s grandchildren. The landscapes along with a coastal scene and a still life depict friends’ estates, gardens, family vacation spots and some of Churchill’s favorite travel destinations in France and Morocco. Prior to 2014, the paintings graced the walls of Sandys’ family home in the United Kingdom. On July 21, Duncan Sandys, Sir Winston Churchill’s great-grandson, will discuss his great-grandfather’s art. Sandys said, “Although painting was just a hobby, Churchill learned new skills which he used in his political and diplomatic life. It gave him a sanctuary during adversity and, I believe, made him more effective in 1940 as Hitler prepared to invade Britain.” Sandys’ talk is free and open to the public, although a reservation is requested to parinaz@aboveparpr.com. Heather James Fine Art. 49 Geary St. Suite 511 in San Francisco. The event, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., includes Sandys’ lecture and a viewing of the full collection.

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