Where was Winston Churchill in June 1916? If a humble painting of a rose garden is to be believed, he was staying at Herstmonceux Castle, a grand Sussex institution from medieval days. Years before, the castle had been purchased and rehabilitated by Churchill’s host and friend, Colonel Claude Lowther, who may have invited him to stay that summer. The writing on the back of the painting cites the Rt Hon Winston Churchill as the artist, providing the place, date, subject, and everything else one could ask for.

Or not. Despite thorough efforts by the BBC arts documentary programme Fake or Fortune? in Series 13, the outcome was inconclusive, resulting in a frustrating game of ‘Where’s Winston’ that left painting owner Barry James still searching for answers. At the end of the episode, Barry expressed his conviction in the authenticity of the painting. His decision was reinforced by art dealer Philip Mould’s expert counsel, while presenter Fiona Bruce offered encouragement that new evidence might be right around the corner.

The proof uncovered on Fake or Fortune? is already convincing. Churchill’s August 1916 letters, written in his very own hand, describe his stay in a Herstmonceux cottage, passing the time as he ruminated on the horrors of war. His close friend Violet Bonham Carter, in her memoir Winston Churchill As I Knew Him, spoke of the solace that painting brought him, soothing his inner turmoil during one of the worst periods of his political career. In those pages, Violet described a ‘burning June day,’ corresponding to the inscription on the reverse of the painting – which can only depict Herstmonceux: Winston’s version closely matches a photograph [above] of the lavish roses from those WWI years. The painting itself is entirely sincere. It does not seek to deceive. There is no frame plaque making aggressive claims for authentication. There is no spurious ‘WC’ written where it does not belong. The inscription was hidden beneath the back of the frame; it was Barry’s keen eye for Christie’s auction stamps that led him to consider its importance. And yet, it is this painting’s quiet, understated nature that has worked against it.

The case should be clear. Churchill’s extended stay has been thoroughly confirmed. As Lowther’s guest, he visited Herstmonceux countless times over the summer. A 1916 clip from the local Eastbourne Gazette, featured in the episode, describes his ‘charming’ cottage: ‘This is the one to which Mr. and Mrs. Winston Churchill have sent their children, and where they are spending most of their week ends.’ This is the very same place that Churchill described as ‘my cottage’ in an August 23 letter discussing Herstmonceux: ‘I write & paint – & ponder.’

Despite the current mystery, ‘Churchill’s Garden’ is part of Sussex history. And it may only be a matter of time before the pieces come together, restoring this painting to its proper place in the great statesman’s artistic canon.

Words by Emily Esser