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Winston Churchill

6 of 158 portraits by Yousuf Karsh

© Karsh / Camera Press

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Winston Churchill

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1941
11 in. x 8 1/2 in. (280 mm x 216 mm)
Given by the photographer, Yousuf Karsh, 1991
Primary Collection
NPG P490(17)

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002), Photographer. Artist associated with 158 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG P243: Winston Churchill (from same negative)

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 134 Read entry

    The photographs and cartoons shown here encapsulate the popular image of Churchill. Features recorded faithfully in press and portrait photographs became humorously exaggerated by Sir David Low, Vicky and others. Funny hats sitting precariously on his round head, vast cigars, bow ties, siren suits, all engagingly eccentric in official and press photographs, become cheery weapons in the cartoonist's propaganda war. Idiosyncratic personal detail is transformed into dynamic, humorous defiance.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1941back to top

Current affairs

The Blitz continues with sustained Luftwaffe attacks on British cities. As the bombing went on the urban population got used to the black out, the air raid sirens and nights spent in shelter. The idea emerged (to some extent a myth) of the 'spirit of the Blitz' where people pulled together united, disregarding traditional class and social divisions.

Art and science

Frank Whittle demonstrates the first test-flight of a plane powered by jet propulsion. Although the German, Hans von Ohain, built the first jet plane, Whittle was the first to patent a design for the jet engine (in 1930), and his subsequent work helped to advance the technology and made Britain leaders in the field.

International

The Soviet Union and America join the Allies. The Soviet Union was forced to switch sides after Hitler attacked in June 1941, reneging the Soviet-Nazi pact. Six months later the US Navy was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. The following day the USA declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on America.

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