An early Constable painting depicting a landscape on the Suffolk/Essex border fetched £1.5million at a Sotherby’s auction this evening, but failed to reach the £2-3m estimate.
The landscape, entitled ‘Dedham Vale with the River Stour in Flood’ was one of a number of early Constables still in private hands.
An estimated value was placed on the work for £2-3m, but despite the valuation was only sold for £1.5m – half the top end estimate.
The painting was created between 1814 and 1817, and is among a number in a similar style and size to those he painted around the Stour Valley and East Bergholt during that time.
Julien Gascoigne from Sotheby’s said it was “one of the most exciting and important additions to Constable’s oeuvre to have emerged over the last 50 years.”
It is thought to have been commissioned by Thomas Fitzhugh as a wedding present for his future wife Philadelphia Godfrey.
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