January 1, 1970

In Morocco, he patronised the country’s grandest hotel – La Mamounia in Marrakesh: ‘it is the most lovely spot in the world’, Churchill apparently told Roosevelt. During his ‘Wilderness Years’ when he felt banished from Baldwin’s government, he spent the winter of 1935-36 on a painting holiday in Morocco. He referred to the pink Atlas mountains as ‘paintaceous’ and painted some of his most refined watercolours here.

A recent exhibition showcasing paintings by Churchill and the Moroccan artist, Hassan el Glaoui – a fascinating meeting and engagement of cultures – was held in early 2014 at La Mamounia.