Famous Yousuf Karsh portrait of Sir Winston Churchill stolen from Château Laurier

The hotel’s general manager, Geneviève Dumas, says staff are “deeply saddened by this brazen act,” and the hotel is seeking information from the public about the theft.

The collection of portraits — six displayed in the Reading Lounge and another nine in the hotel’s Karsh Suite — was installed in 1998.

Other photos in the lounge have been taken down until they can be secured properly.

The photographer and his wife lived at the Château Laurier for 18 years and Karsh’s studio was in the hotel for 20 years, from 1972 on. 

Ben Weiss, with the Historical Society of Ottawa, told The Rob Snow Show on Aug. 23 that the photo was taken after a rousing speech Churchill made in the House of Commons. He was led down to an office by then Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King where there were spotlights and a waiting Karsh who was ready to take a portrait of Churchill. Not happy, Churchill told Karsh he could take one and the now famous scowl happened after Karsh took away Churchill's cigar. 

It has become one of the most reproduced shots ever. 

“There have been 350,000 prints and negative and no prints have been made since,” he said. “There's a great value to this portrait I am not an art expert but I would imagine at least five digits.”

After the photo was taken, Life Magazine put the portrait on their cover and Churchill caught the attention of Americans who started paying more attention to what was happening in Britain. 

Photographer Michelle Valberg told The Sam Laprade Show on Aug. 23 that she's disappointed with the fact that someone stole the portrait. 

“It's infuriating,” she said. “That wall with Karsh's amazing work won't ever be the same.”

Listen to the full interview with Ben Weiss below:

Listen to the full interview with Michelle Valberg below:

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2022.