Roy Anderson’s painting of Churchill has been likened to the style of Graham Sutherland, by Lord David Owen, no less. You can make your own mind up – it’s on display at Exeter Central Library until the end of May.
The oil painting was finished in 1965, the year before Churchill’s death in in 1966. “I wanted to demythologise. It’s brooding and dark,” he said.
Roy sent Lord Owen a copy the painting after reading his book In Sickness and in Power, which investigates heads of governement from 1901 to 2007.
Lord Owen replied with: “You are right — the deeper brooding side of Churchill should be captured and I think your interpretation is excellent and in the line of Graham Sutherland.”
After seeing a copy for itself, the library was happy to provide hanging space for the picture for the public to see it.
