JMW Turner masterpiece could hit record at auction
It is tipped to exceed its £15-£25 million estimate.
A painting by JMW Turner which sparked terse exchanges with his publisher could set a new record for a British-born artist when it goes under the hammer.
Ehrenbreitstein (1835) is described as one of Turner’s “greatest masterpieces” and one of just a small number of major paintings by the artist remaining in private hands.
It could easily exceed its £15-£25 million estimate and set a new record when it is auctioned at Sotheby’s in London next week.
Its estimate was £15-£20 million.
Ehrenbreitstein depicts a ruined German fortress near Coblenz, a place of special significance for Turner.
His publisher was not happy as the complexity of the painting meant it took 11 years to complete the engraving, and the pair engaged in a number of terse exchanges.
Sotheby’s director of British paintings Julian Gascoigne told the Press Association: “It’s a very special picture to come up for auction. It’s from one of Turner’s most seminal periods.”
The image was also inspired by Byron’s poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.
“As an artist he’s really trying to say something important and quite powerful,” Mr Gascoigne said. “It’s more than a beautiful landscape. It was an incredibly famous and well known work during his own lifetime.
“But Turner also influenced later generations and foresaw the development of modern art.
“We hope it will break new ground when it comes on to sale next week.”
The painting is going on view to the public on Saturday for five days ahead of the sale on July 5.
Other works by the artist, whose face will be on the new £20 note, at the auction will include a watercolour sketch of the same scene.
The painting has been in the same collection for half a century, and was previously owned by Turner’s greatest patron Elhanan Bicknell.
