A painting bought as part of a £30 “job lot” at auction more than a decade ago has turned out to be a £250,000 original by the revered 19th century British artist John Constable.
Rob Darvell, of South Woodford in east London, was given the good news by experts during a live appearance on BBC Breakfast this weekend.
The graphic designer, 45, had been handed the postcard-sized painting by his father during a clear-out of the family home last year.
Promoting forthcoming series Treasure Detectives, art expert Curtis Dowling examined the relic during Sunday morning’s show.
“It’s a Constable and it’s never been seen properly before, so it’s part of history, will cause a stir and become a celebrity item. A large section of the art world will be salivating to get their hands on it,” Dowling said.
Mr Darvell said: “In the minutes leading up to the valuation, I was so nervous that my heart was beating like crazy. Now I’m in a state of shock. This news is everything I was hoping for and more.”
His father had bought the painting at an auction in Canterbury some 13 years ago – and had since been advised to get rid of it by Mr Darvell’s stepmother.
Mr Darvell said: “It was in a cardboard box with other bits and pieces no-one else seemed to want, sold at the end of the auction as a job lot. Dad viewed the box before it came up for sale and spotted a feint signature, J Constable, on the back of the frame.
“He gave me this, suggesting I get it properly looked into. Initially I did some research myself, but after a while I contacted Curtis on the internet. And of course now I’m very glad I did.”
The painting is now in the art expert’s care while its owners decide what to do with it.
Mr Darvell said: “I’m much more nervous of handling the picture now. I suspect we will want it hung in a gallery for a while, so the public can see it. So we don’t plan on selling it for the time being at least.”
