Descripción
This large 1970s print, numbered and signed by Winston Churchill s daughter, Sarah, is one of a series of twenty-eight intaglio drawings by Curtis Hooper entitled "A Visual Philosophy of Sir Winston Churchill". These prints were produced in two sizes. The larger format, of which this is one, measured 22.5 x 34.5 inches. These large format prints were limited to editions of no more than 400, featuring Hooper s drawing, a limitation number, Sarah s signature, and three blind debossed features - a quotation selected by Sarah beside one of Sarah s simple outline tracings of a Churchill photograph, and the Churchill coat of arms at the lower left.This print features a head and shoulders rendering of Churchill in the uniform of the South African Light Horse during his first career as an itinerant young cavalry officer and war correspondent in the waning days of Queen Victoria s reign. The debossed quote below is his famous, four-line Moral of the Work from his History of the Second World War, published half a century later: "In War: Resolution | In Defeat: Defiance | In Victory: Magnanimity | In Peace: Good Will". Right of the quote is a debossed engraving of a much older Churchill, with cane, bowler hat, and cigar. The print is numbered "32/350" and signed "Sarah Churchill". Condition is fine, with no reportable wear, soiling, or blemishes.English artist Curtis Hooper (1945-2020) was a longtime admirer of Churchill. His series of Churchill drawings attempted "to depict the many facets of Churchill s complex character" and "covers Churchill s early childhood all the way through his second term as prime minister in the 1950s. Diving into both the public and private sides of Churchill s life, the series balances Churchill s professional years as a soldier and war correspondent, a writer, a rhetorician, and a statesman with his private interests as a painter, aviation enthusiast, horseman, father, and husband."Hooper worked under the auspices of Graphic House Publishing in New Jersey and in tandem with the Churchill family. "Through them, Hooper gained access to both public and private photographs and information as well as audience with military leaders from the Second World War, who worked directly with Sir Winston, helping to paint him a full picture of the man to whom he would devote so much time.""Before her death, Baroness Clementine Spencer Churchill provided helpful thoughts and commentary about Hooper s works. However, Churchill s second daughter, Sarah, Lady Audley, played the largest role in bringing the project to a successful fruition. Sarah hand-signed the entire collection of prints." Although each print had a stated limitation of 400 or less, fewer were actually produced. Sarah then Lady Audley via her third marriage "always signed and numbered together to ensure completion and authenticity."This was not Sarah s only personal touch. "Curtis noticed, as he got to know Sarah, that she would take small pieces of tracing paper and affectionately trace simple outlines of family photos, including her father… Hooper decided to include one of Sarah s tracings… alongside both signatures and the debossment of the quotation on which each print was based."Sarah s involvement in the selection and quotes seems appropriate. Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill (1914-1982) was the third child and second daughter of Sir Winston Churchill and Clementine Spencer-Churchill. Among Winston Churchill s children, it was Sarah who seemed most clearly to have inherited some of her father s artistic inclinations. In addition to her acting career, she wrote poetry and a memoir. She also remained close to her father, despite his disapproval of some of her life choices. Sarah accompanied Churchill to several Second World War conferences and "the affection between father and daughter is clear in numerous letters sent during and after the war."Sources: Finest Hour #117 & 120; ICS; The Churchill Project, Hillsdale College; Richard M. Langworth.
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