A long-lost masterpiece by John Constable (1776-1837), estimated to be worth up to £2 million, has been discovered gathering dust at Craufurdland Castle in Scotland. The “life-changing” find was made by the castle’s 29thlaird and his wife who were struggling to pay for repairs on the estate.
Originally constructed in the sixteenth century, the rebuilt tower house sits in the heart of rural Ayrshire. Simon Houison Craufurd and his wife, Adity, inherited the substantial 600-acre estate from family and now run it as a restaurant, accommodation, and space for outdoor activities.
“The rebuild value of the castle for insurance purposes is astronomical,” explained Craufurd. “We have costs like roof and windows repairs which can spiral if we don’t keep on top of them.”
The mysterious oil painting was first uncovered ten years ago in their guest wing, where it had been in storage since 1918. But much to the disappointment of the castle’s owners, the initial valuation denounced it as a fake. At a subsequent valuation this year, however, the painting piqued the interest of art expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan.
“It’s funny because it’s a painting that I have seen I don’t know how many times and I have never actually paid any attention to it,” recalled Craufurd. Experts now believe the piece was indeed painted by Constable, valued between £1 million to £2 million.
Examination of the canvas showed that the ground, priming colours, and general handling of the paint were a convincing match to the renowned English artist. Although the frame bears the title ‘Old Bridge over the Avon’, research now suggests that it instead depicts a location on the Thames in the Oxfordshire countryside from the 1820s.
After months of analysis, the family were told that they had “gold on their hands”. They will use the unexpected windfall to restore their beloved 800-year-old castle, which costs around £100,000 a year to repair and maintain.
The chance discovery was recorded as part of Channel 4’s new programme ‘Millionaire Hoarders’.
Art Law & More 