Angelina Jolie sells a painting of Winston Churchill that Brad Pitt gave her for 9.6 million
It is the only work that she painted during World War II
In 2016, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ended their relationship after two years of marriage and another nine of courtship, and it seems neither of them wants to keep memories of their time together. We refer to the facts, because just a month ago Angelina Jolie put up for auction through Christie's a painting by Winston Churchill that the actor gave her in 2011. Apparently the couple was very fond of art and they had a collection with works by both contemporary and classical artists valued in the millions.
The sale of the painting closed yesterday with a price of 9.6 million euros, a figure higher than expected since the appraisal was around 2 million. It is about 'The Tower of the Koutoubia Mosque', one of the most famous paintings of the former British Prime Minister that he painted during the Second World War. The work represents a sunset in the most famous temple in Marrakech, a city that fell in love with him from the first time he visited it and where he also carried out this work, specifically in the days after the Casablanca Conference, held from 14 to 24 January 1943.
A work steeped in history
Days later, Churchill gave the painting to Roosevelt, the political leader he most admired with whom he had spent 10 days of negotiations in the city. It was not only a gift, but also a symbol of a political alliance that endures to this day.
Another curious fact about the painting is the date on which he made it, the same day that he would die twenty years later. Later, when Roosevelt passed away, the painting was inherited by his son, and since then it went through various owners until 2011, when it was acquired by the actor.
According to Nick Orchard, head of the British Modern Art department at Christie's, this is a very relevant painting. “It is the only work that Churchill painted during the war, perhaps encouraged by the recent advances of the allies in what he considered one of the most beautiful countries he had ever known.
'The Koutoubia Mosque Tower' is therefore possibly Winston Churchill's best painting due to the importance of the subject for him and the fact that it highlights the importance of the friendship between the two leaders. That he gave the painting to Roosevelt underscores the fact that Churchill held him in high esteem, and points to his joint efforts to guide the Allied powers toward the outcome of World War II. "
This was not the only painting of the Nobel Prize winner and former prime minister to have been sold at the auction. Well, several collectors whose identity is unknown have also acquired ‘Scene at Marrakech’ and ‘St Paul’s Churchyard’ for 2.5 and 1.4 million euros respectively.
