New statue of Winston Churchill unveiled at Blenheim Palace

The life-size bronze statue, titled Winston Churchill Painting, was created by renowned sculptor Paul Rafferty.

It was unveiled on Monday, October 28 and will be a permanent feature in the gardens on the South Lawn, facing the palace.

The sculpture was crafted using the ancient lost wax process, a traditional and complex method that allowed Mr Rafferty to create a detailed piece that captures the spirit of Sir Winston's love for painting.

The sculpture features a canvas of Sir Winston’s painting of Blenheim Palace Through the Branches of a Cedar, which was recreated in bas relief in clay.

The position of this work of art will be located where Sir Winston himself would have set his easel up to paint and honours the former prime minister's connection to his birthplace and site of his engagement to Clementine Hozier.

The statue was unveiled at Churchill's birthplace (Image: Pete Seaward/Blenheim Palace)

Also featured in the sculpture are the personal details that further highlight Sir Winston's life as a painter.

His paint brushes are carefully sculpted in their custom tin holders.

Nearby sits a bottle of Pol Roger Champagne, a drink Sir Winston Churchill often enjoyed while painting, a nod to the artist's life of both creation and contemplation.

His Stetson, cigar, and zippered Oxford shoes complete the statue.

Mr Rafferty said: "I wanted to honour Sir Winston’s passion for the arts.

It features a recreation of one of his famous paintings (Image: Pete Seaward/Blenheim Palace)

"By recreating his iconic painting in bas relief on the canvas, and surrounding him with the tools he cherished like the bespoke tin canisters that held his paint brushes, his favourite Pol Roger Champagne, his Stetson, cigar, and easel - I aimed to capture a vivid moment of his life at Blenheim, a place he loved deeply."

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill said: "This extraordinary sculpture is a fitting tribute to Winston Churchill’s artistic talents, as well as his love for Blenheim Palace.

"We are delighted to welcome this unique piece and to commemorate 150 years since his birth."

This unveiling is part of ongoing celebrations at Blenheim Palace, with a line-up of exhibitions, lectures, and special events honouring Sir Winston Churchill’s legacy and his life.

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Set in more than 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped park and gardens, it was designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style and is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders.