The family of Winston Churchill , pictured , have donated 37 of his paintings to the state following the death of his one remaining child . A collection of Winston Churchill ’ s paintings has been given to the public by the late Prime Minister ’ s family to settle a multi-million pound tax bill . The politician ’ s family was left owing £9.4million in inheritance tax following the death of his last surviving child Lady Mary Soames last year . But rather than selling off the prized collection of 37 paintings , his family has given the paintings to the nation under a specialist tax scheme for important pieces of art . As part of the deal the vast majority of the paintings will be permanently displayed to the public at Chartwell , Churchill ’ s former home that is now run by the National Trust . The wartime Prime Minister took up the hobby at the age of 41 and continued painting in a figurative style into his 80s , producing more than 500 works . Although his amateur offerings never received mass critical acclaim , they have attracted huge prices on the private market from avid fans of ‘ Churchilliana ’ buyers . The value of his paintings was highlighted last year when The Goldfish Pool at Chartwell – depicting the garden feature which he dug and visited daily - was sold for a record £1.8m . Despite selling many of his prized possessions at auction last year , Lady Soames ’ s will included a request that the paintings remain on display at Chartwell . She also asked that Coast Scene near Cannes should remain in the Houses of Parliament and that View From a Bathing Hut at the Miami Surf Club stays in the Churchill War Rooms . Lady Soames , who died last June at the age of 91 , previously described how painting ‘ literally ‘ grabbed ’ her father in 1915 . She credited the hobby for ‘ playing an increasing and abiding role in his life , renewing the source of his great inner strength and enabling him to face storms , ride out depressions and rise above the tough passages in his political life ’ . The items were donated to the nation under the acceptance in lieu scheme , which allows people to offset inheritance tax against valuable items of cultural significance . Churchill 's painting 'The Goldfish Pool at Chartwell ' , pictured , sold recently for a record £1.8 million . Some of the collection will remain on permanent display at Churchill 's home , Chartwell , pictured . The scheme sees the Government accept the items for the full market value , provided they can be permanently bequeathed to a museum or gallery . It also offers a ‘ good deal ’ for those offering up historically important items , with works avoiding the taxes associated with a sale on the private market . Inheritance tax is paid at 40 per cent when an estate exceeds £325,000 but the scheme sees the amount of tax incurred by the objects reduced to 25 per cent of its market value . The secretary of state for culture , media and sport is responsible for deciding whether the items offer a good deal for the taxpayer after being advised by a board of experts . The Government has accepted items worth £124.5 million instead of tax between 2009 and 2013 . The Churchill family has previously courted controversy after benefitting from the sale of prized possession to the state . The war leader ’ s collection of pre-1945 speeches and letter was sold to the nation in 1995 for £12.5million using money from the Heritage Lottery Fund . As well as 37 of Churchill ’ s paintings , the collection also included a painting by Sir John Lavery and the Aly Khan Gold Cup , which was won by Churchill ’ s horse High Hat in 1961 . Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said : ‘ It is fitting that in the 50th year since his death these paintings by the great war-time leader Sir Winston Churchill will be displayed in three very significant locations that helped shape his life and gives us an opportunity to appreciate the artistic talent of a man who was a colossal figure in world politics. ’ Chairman of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel Edward Harley said : ‘ Fifty years after his death and 70 years after the end of the War , Churchill remains one of this nation ’ s greatest figures . ‘ His paintings let us see the man in the round and not just as a great politician . ’
stew Churchill 's father donated the artwork to settle a large insurance bill . The ##art faced a £ ##500 bill for the birth of his last child . The 37 artworks were handed over to the state as part of the deal . However , several of the works will remain at Churchill 's disposal .