Rare Winston Churchill painting found in attic

London, Sept 12 : A rare painting by Winston Churchill has been discovered in an attic after 30 years.

Painted before the Second World War in the 1930s, the picture is of Windlesham Moor, a house in Surrey which was later let to the then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip after their marriage in 1947.

It is said that Churchill visited Windlesham Moor after an article about its gardens appeared in Country Life magazine in 1934.

The work of art features the estate's Brown Lakes, arched stone bridge and the main house.

The painting's provenance was established after the auctioneers spent 10 months tracking its origin.

It was originally handed over to Lord Taylor, who served Sir Winston during the war as director of home intelligence in the Ministry of Information.

He then passed it on to his secretary as a gift, who in turn gave it to her unconcerned son. He wrapped it in a bin liner and stored it in the loft of his Oxfordshire home.

After remaining there for 30 long years, the painting was taken by a college lecturer to saleroom. Because it was unsigned no value could initially be put on it.

But, as it did not bear nay name, it was not identified.

"Untitled and unsigned, and at first glance, arguably unremarkable, it offered up few signs of the interest it now attracts," Telegraph quoted John Dickins, of John Dickins Auctioneers in Middle Claydon, Bucks, as saying.

He added: "The painting reaches the public domain for the first time, having remained virtually unseen for much of its life and, for the past 20 to 30 years, un-loved and lying in an attic."

"The piece is consistent with Churchill's style and use of colour in other works by him between the two wars.

"There is a small boat in the picture and Churchill had a thing of putting boats in other work with water."

He further said that the frame of the painting was identical to one seen, still in its original packing, in Sir Winston's old studio at his home Chartwell, Kent.

The painting will go under the hammer on Sept 20.

ANI