J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) – Rome from Mount Aventine (£15-20 million) UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR A NEW WORLD RECORD OF £30.3 MILLION.
One of the last great Turner masterpieces in private hands – Rome from Mount Aventine – comes up at Sotheby’s in London in December. In immaculate condition it has been in the Roseberry Collection for the last 136 years. It is described as one of Turner’s most subtle and atmospheric depictions of the eternal city. The large scale oil is distinguished by its exceptional preservation. An expert from Sotheby’s said that there are hairs from Turner’s own paintbrush still trapped on the canvas, with drips of paint visible down its side.
It is one of less than ten major Turner’s known to be in private hands. Alex Bell of Sotheby’s said: “This painting, which is nearly 200 years old, looks today as if it had come straight from the easel of the artist: never re-lined and never subject to restoration the picture retains the freshness of the moment it was painted:.
The auction next December 3 will coincide with the exhibition “Late Turner” at the Tate. The painting is estimated at £15-20 million. The current auction record for Turner is £29,721,250 for Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino. This was bought by the J.Paul Getty Museum at Sotheby’s in London in 2010.