Winston Churchill

Iconic matte-finish 5 x 6.5 portrait of Winston Churchill by Vivienne of London, affixed to its original 7.75 x 10.5 studio mount, signed on the mount in fountain pen, "Winston S. Churchill, 1953." Affixed inside its original studio presentation folder, the reverse of which bears a “Vivienne, 20th Century Studios Limited” copyright stamp. In fine condition, with toning to the edges of the mount.

Vivienne (1889–1982) was a leading society portrait photographer who began as an assistant to her husband Ernest and their son, Antony. In 1949, Antony, by then making a career photographing actors in Hollywood, married Churchill’s daughter Sarah, an actress. Both families became friends and Vivienne made many portraits of Churchill. This is one of her most enduring images.