Stolen portrait of Sir Winston Churchill one step closer to returning home
The famed scowling portrait of Sir Winston Churchill is one step closer to returning home to Ottawa, as Canadian representatives are set to receive the photo in a ceremony in Italy on Thursday at the Canadian embassy.
The iconic scowling portrait of Sir Winston Churchill is one step closer to being returned to Ottawa, as Canadian officials prepare to receive the photo during a ceremony at the Canadian embassy in Italy on Thursday.
In August 2022, a staff member at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa noticed something unusual — the frame of the portrait in the Reading Lounge wasn’t hanging properly and didn’t match the others in the collection. A closer inspection revealed that the photo was not the original iconic image.
Law enforcement reported that the famous Roaring Lion portrait had been stolen that same month. However, an investigation determined that the theft actually occurred between Christmas Day 2021 and January 6, 2022.
Last week, police announced they had recovered the portrait and arrested a suspect. Jeffrey Iain James Wood, from Powassan, Ont., faces charges of theft and trafficking of the portrait, along with additional charges of forgery and mischief causing damage exceeding $5,000.
Initially, Ottawa police said his identity was subject to a publication ban but later clarified that they could release his name after reviewing the restriction.
The portrait had been sold through a London auction house to an Italian buyer, both of whom were unaware that the photo was stolen. Police noted that the sale occurred before the theft was even discovered and reported.
The Roaring Lion was originally captured by photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, following Churchill’s speech to Canada’s House of Commons on December 30. Karsh recalled that Churchill was initially uncooperative, refusing to put down his cigar. In a memorable moment, Karsh politely stepped forward, removed the cigar from Churchill’s mouth, and returned to his camera. Churchill’s scowl in that instant became immortalized in the photograph.
Following the recovery of the portrait, the hotel’s general manager assured reporters that enhanced security measures have been implemented for all of Karsh’s portraits, ensuring that The Roaring Lion will be well-protected once it returns.
