British politician and war time leader Sir Winston Churchill was born on 30 November, 1874. Churchill served twice as Prime Minister of Great Britain and is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. His leadership during World War Two was characterised by a continual refusal to surrender or compromise, inspiring a culture of steadfast resistance within Britain. After the war, Churchill served as Leader of the Opposition until being re-elected as Prime Minister in 1951 til 1955.

This portrait of Churchill was painted by artist Peter McIntyre in 1942. During World War Two, McIntyre was appointed New Zealand’s official war artist, and he covered the campaigns in Greece, Crete, the Western Desert, Tripolitani, Tunisia and Italy. McIntyre's work during this time comprises part of the National Collection of War Art, which is under the care of Archives NZ. This collection is composed of about 1,500 artworks, and includes portraits, battle scenes, landscapes and abstracts, depicting those who served New Zealand in times of war, and the arenas in which they served. It includes both official pieces of war art, by artists formally commissioned by the New Zealand government, and other unofficial art works that were acquired by or donated to the collection.

Archives reference: AAAC 898 83 / NCWA 074

This painting, as well as other items from the Archives New Zealand War Art Collection, can be viewed online at the following link - warart.archives.govt.nz/

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