Lying in state of Winston Churchill in Westminster Hall

This oil on canvas painting by Alfred Egerton Cooper is one of a number of art works depicting Sir Winston Churchill's lying in state in Westminster Hall. At the centre of the painting lies Churchill's coffin which was draped in a Union Flag and surrounded by six tall amber candles. Throughout the three day ceremony four guardsmen in full ceremonial uniform stood vigil over Churchill's coffin with their heads bowed.

Over 320, 000 people passed by Churchill's coffin over the course of his lying in state and (Edward Bacon) a reporter for the Illustrated London News described the procession as having ‘the mesmeric effect of a river flowing past.' Later in 1965, a plaque was placed in Westminster hall to commemorate the ceremony.