A painting from the private collection of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will be on temporary loan in Atlanta for a few months.
The piece, "The Tower of Katoubia Mosque," an oil on canvas done in 1943 by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is on exhibit at the Millennium Gate Museum. It is part of the exhibition "The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting."
As my colleague Jill Vejnoska reported recently, “The Art of Diplomacy — Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting” features 33 of the nearly 500 canvases that the iconic British leader completed between 1915 and 1965, as well as photographs, letters, Churchill’s easel and other personal belongings. The exhibition, which also highlights some less well-known connections between Georgia and the Churchills.
The newly famous piece was created by Churchill, an accomplished amateur painter, and gifted to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, said museum director
Jeremy W.
Kobus. The piece has been sold a number of times through the years, following FDR's death, and was acquired by Brangelina a few years ago, he said.
"They've been asked many times if people could borrow it and they said no," Kobus said. The couple also allowed their names to be used, which was another happy surprise.
"We are ecstatic about it," Kobus said.
The Millennium Gate is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $12, $10 for seniors/students. Info: http://thegateatlanta.com/
