Unnoticed Turner Painting found in Dining Room
A Hidden Gem Unearthed
A watercolour painting, innocently hanging on the wall of a home in Suffolk, has recently been identified as a lost masterpiece from the renowned British artist J.M.W. Turner. Seated amidst the family’s dining room since its purchase, at the nominal price of £100 from a mansion clearance sale in the 1990s, the painting was confirmed to be a genuine Turner piece, according to our source.
Discovery of the Work
The painting went unrecognized for nearly three decades, a testament to the delicate and detailed view of St Davids Cathedral’s entrance depicted in the artwork. The identity of the talented artist was finally brought to light due to a signature; ‘W Turner’ present on the painting’s reverse side. Further comparisons conducted with Turner’s sketches present in the Tate’s Turner Bequest positively affirmed its authenticity.
Historical Value Superseded by Aesthetic Preference
Ironic as it may seem, the painting’s historical value might not move the needle much at the auction. Despite being created by one of Britain’s greatest artistic minds, during his tour of Wales in 1795, the artwork is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000. This significantly lower value, when compared to Turner’s other works, is attributed to the absence of a captivating, dramatic landscape, often regarded as a trademark characteristic in Turner’s most sought-after pieces.
London’s Art Market Projections
In other news from the London art scene, major auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips are about to begin their annual sales. Christie’s is bold in its predictions of a sizeable rise in sales, thanks to remarkable works from artists like Magritte, Hockney, and Bacon. However, this comes amid a temperate decline in the London art market as estimated sales this year show a slight dip from the previous year.
Elton John’s Auction Success: A Silver Lining
- Proving the high demand for exclusive items in the market, the auction of memorabilia from popular music artist Elton John recently concluded and was received incredibly well. The musical legend’s collection garnered double the estimated pre-sale value, demonstrating that unique items can still substantially outperform the market, amidst contrasting results for conventional artworks with established price histories.
