Graham Sutherland with self-portrait
Jan. 01, 1978 - Sutherland Portrait of sir Winston Churchill Destroyed by Lady Churchill: Graham Sutherland's portrait of Sir Winston Churchill which the former Prime Minister said he hated because it makes me look half-witted, was burned by Lady Churchill before Sir Winston died, here three executors said last night. The executors, Lady Soames, Sir John Colville, and Mr. Pergrino Spencer-Churchill, said they felt it is right to announce that the portrait commissioned by the Houses of Parliament in honour of Sir Winston's 80th birthday-had been destroyed, it is believed to have taken place between 1933 and 1936, about 18 months after it was painted. Mr Sutherland, 74, who was made a member of the Order of Merit in 1960, said last night that although he felt no rancour he believed the destruction of his painting to be an act of vandalism unequalled in the history of art'. Photo shows Graham Sutherland with his self portrait who said last night over the burning of his painting of Sir Winston Churchill, vandalism unequalled in the history of the Art world
