Unknown Constable Sketch Discovered

A keen-eyed art valuer has discovered a previously unrecorded pencil sketch by John Constable buried amongst dozens of water colours.

Guy Shwinge spotted the delicate pencil and wash sketch depicting a figure walking along a wooded path with a cottage visible in the distance as he sorted through the works.

It is an early work by the artist,but typical in mood and landscape of his later paintings.

The sketch is now going up for auction and is expected to sell for between £3,000 and £5,000.

According to auctioneers Duke and Son,of Dorchester,Dorset,there has already been international interest.

Mr Schwinge,a partner at the firm,said the owner,who wants to remain anonymous,believed the work was of some importance.

He said "When I first saw it I thought it had incredible potential and I felt I needed to check it with the relevant specialists,which meant taking it to London."

It was authenticated by the world expert on Constable at a national museum.

The work is dated September 23rd 1799,when Constable was 23.

The scene is thought to be a capriccio - an imaginary landscape.

His normally comprehensive diaries are tantalisingly blank for a six-month period including September 23,1799.

For those who enjoy Constable's work but cannot afford £3,000,another lot in the sale is worth a gamble.

Two other sketches of trees are for sale which are attributed to Constable,but which cannot be definitely attributed to him.Both together are expected to fetch between £600 - £1,000.