A watercolour painting of a Welsh castle by one of the UK’s most celebrated artists is anticipated to fetch up to £50,000 at auction.
Created in 1794 by JMW Turner at 19, the painting features Chepstow Castle perched above the River Wye. It is one of only two known Turner paintings depicting this particular scene.
Described as being in “immaculate condition,” the artwork will be auctioned at Cheffins in Cambridge on March 22.
An associate at Cheffins auctioneers, Patricia Cross, remarked that the painting is a vital record of Turner’s rapidly evolving early style. Owing to its grand scale and composition, she speculated that it was likely crafted as a presentation piece for a significant patron like Dr. Thomas Monro.
Cross noted that this painting would have been produced during one of Turner’s initial tours through England and Wales as a professional artist. As one of the world’s most esteemed landscape painters, this piece offers collectors a rare insight into Turner’s early career.
Signed by Turner, the painting captures the castle overlooking the River Wye, with a downstream view that includes a wooden bridge, a boat in the foreground, and a collection of cottages. This marks the first time the artwork has been available on the open market in nearly a century, and it is expected to sell for between £30,000 and £50,000 when it goes up for auction later this month.
The “Chepstow Castle” watercolour painting has garnered significant interest among art collectors and enthusiasts. Its unique representation of the castle and its historical significance have contributed to the auction’s excitement.
Since its creation, the artwork has remained in private collections, carefully preserved and maintained. The upcoming auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and admirers of Turner’s work to own a piece of his early artistic journey.
The Cheffins auction house anticipates a strong turnout for the event, with bidders from around the globe expected to participate. In addition to the Turner painting, several other notable artworks will be featured in the auction, further adding to the appeal for collectors and art enthusiasts.
The sale of “Chepstow Castle” could potentially set a new benchmark for Turner’s early watercolour paintings, given its historical importance and the limited number of similar works available. As such, an auction is a significant event for the art world and a testament to Turner’s enduring legacy and impact on landscape painting.
Regardless of the final sale price, the auction of “Chepstow Castle” serves as a reminder of JMW Turner’s immense talent and the captivating allure of his early artistic expressions.
