View of Heidelberg with a rainbow, pictured, was included in the Royal Academy’s recent Turner retrospective Turner: The Great Watercolours and has been in the family of Sir Donald Currie, a shipping magnate and patron of the arts, since he purchased it from Agnew’s for £4200 in 1908.
At 121/4 by 201/2in (31 x 52cm), the atmospheric watercolour is a considerably larger and arguably more attractive picture than View of Hampton Court which currently holds the auction record for a watercolour by the artist when it took £473,000 at Sotheby’s New Bond Street in 1990.
The fresh-to-market appeal and excellent condition have seen expert-in-charge Guy Peppiatt estimate the picture at £600,000-800,000 with thoughts that it may even top the million-pound mark.
Sotheby’s expect new record for Turner watercolour
UK: Sotheby’s are hoping one of the most important watercolours by J.M.W. Turner to come to the rostrum will smash all previous auction records for the artist when it comes under the hammer in London on June 14.
