Telfair Museums, in partnership with the Georgia Historical Society and Millennium Gate Museum, announced today the opening of The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting at the Jepson Center for the Arts April 24–July 26. Duncan Sandys, a great-grandson of Winston Churchill, will give the opening lecture alongside Rodney Mims Cook, Jr. of the National Monuments Foundation.

The landmark exhibition, organized by Millennium Gate Museum, is the first of its kind in the United States since 1965 and features paintings by Sir Winston Churchill, as well as photographs, letters, and personal belongings on loan from members of his family. The paintings depict landscapes, family vacation spots, friends’ estates, gardens, seascapes, and still life interiors.

The Art of Diplomacy explores the relationship between Churchill’s strategic decision-making and his evolving practice as an artist. Beyond what he called a “joyride in a paint-box,” he saw painting as a testing ground for such leadership strengths as audacity, humility, foresight, and strength of memory. 

“For 50 years, Winston Churchill kept his paints close at hand and embraced art as a source of great enjoyment,” said Telfair Director and CEO Lisa Grove.  “The Art of Diplomacy explores the idea that art was more than just a hobby and respite for Churchill. In fact, Churchill himself said the act of making a painting provided an opportunity for him to practice key skills that would prove crucial in his wartime career.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these incredible works and get a glimpse into one of the greatest figures of the 20^th century,” said Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “Georgia Historical Society is honored to partner with Telfair Museums and Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta to bring this extraordinary exhibition to Savannah. When the exhibition closes in Savannah, it will be the last time this collection of paintings and personal items will ever be seen together. It should not be missed.” 

Savannah has a special connection to the Churchill family, and Telfair Museums will be the last stop for The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting, which has traveled to seven other Georgia locations.

“We are excited to bring our Churchill exhibition to Savannah,” said Jeremy Kobus, Director of Millennium Gate Museum. “Gen. James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Colony of Georgia and the designer of Savannah, was taught military tactics and strategy by John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. It is therefore fitting that the finale of this eight-city exhibition, exclusive to Georgia, is ending in Savannah.”

As the exhibition traveled through Georgia, local sponsorship was provided by Sea Island Bank, a division of Synovus. The Savannah exhibition and related events are separately presented by Telfair Museums with funding by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Council for the Arts, and other museum supporters.