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Churchill's Art Sells for £716,800, Funds Arts Programs
23 Oct
Summary
- Churchill's painting Amaryllis Lily sold for £716,800.
- Proceeds will fund arts programs for the Churchill Fellowship.
- The painting was a personal gift from Churchill to his daughter.
A painting by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, titled Amaryllis Lily, has achieved a remarkable £716,800 at Christie's in London. The sale occurred on October 21, 2026, during the Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale. All hammer-price proceeds are designated to support the Churchill Fellowship's "Making Space for the Arts" program.
This initiative, launched in 2025, focuses on enhancing artistic practice in public spaces and increasing access to cultural activities. The program aims to foster community engagement with large-scale art projects and promote inclusivity.
Created in 1948, Amaryllis Lily was estimated to sell between £300,000 and £500,000, with its final price significantly surpassing this projection. The painting was originally gifted by Churchill to his daughter, Lady Mary Soames, who later donated it to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (now the Churchill Fellowship) in 1995.
For over three decades, the artwork was held by the charity, allowing it to be converted from a personal artifact into crucial funding for contemporary arts programs. This sale highlights Churchill's enduring legacy, extending his influence into modern community-focused artistic endeavors.
