'Ruskin's view' yours for £200,000
October 26 2011
Pic: Bonhams
Bonhams are to sell an important watercolour by JMW Turner in their 19th Century Paintings Sale in January.
Known as 'Ruskin's view', after a glowing review of the area by the critic in 1875, the scene depicts the churchyard at St Marys Church in Kirkby Lonsdale. Ruskin said:
"whatever moorland hill, and sweet river, and English forest foliage can be seen at their best is gathered there; and chiefly seen from the steep bank which falls to the stream side from the upper part of the town itself. ...I do not know in all my own country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine, or a more priceless possession of true "Holy Land."
Interestingly, Turner decided to omit the church itself, instead focussing on the trees, river and valley landscape which he obviously considered more pertinent features of an atmospheric landscape.
The painting has not been seen at auction since 1884 and with its previous owner being Sir Donald Currie, a shipping magnate and big collector of Turner who also exhibited it at the Royal Academy in 2000, its provenance is tip top.
The estimate is £200,000 - £300,000. Lets hope it finds a buyer as the market for works on paper has been looking quite gloomy up here recently...
Press release here.
By LH.
