Painted in 1821, The Hay Wain is not only widely regarded as John Constable’s (1776-1837) finest work but one of the most famous paintings in English history. Now, a long-lost oil sketch by Constable of the rural scene has been discovered in a private collection in Guernsey and could fetch up to £120,000 at auction.

“This beautiful, freely-painted, oil study is a rare combination of a work by a great artist that has both historical significance and aesthetic appeal,” remarked paintings specialist Jonathan Voak.

Constable made numerous painted and sketched versions of the landscape in the The Haywain throughout his life. In this version, made in June 1814, Constable focused on the home of tenant farmer Willy Lott, who lived in the house in Flatford for more than 80 years. The building is now Grade I listed after appearing so prominently in the artist’s work. Constable was exceptionally fond of the small hamlet in Suffolk and the surrounding area, so much so that it has become known as “Constable Country”.

“The re-emergence of this oil sketch will make an important contribution towards establishing the chronology of Constable’s oeuvre,” explained Voak. “It provides an important point of reference against which other undated works can be compared.”

Constable’s painting went missing over 40 years ago, after it was last recorded in a rare Italian scholarly publication in 1979. This year, experts discovered the piece in a private collection in Guernsey and they subsequently traced its provenance to the artist’s family. A label on the back of the painting revealed that it was once “purchased by us from the collection of Hugh Constable, Esq., Grandson of the painter” in October 1899. Anne Lyles, former curator at Tate Britian, also confirmed the authenticity of the work.

Although Constable received little recognition in England during his lifetime, today he is considered one of Britain’s foremost artists. Born in Suffolk, he worked for his merchant father before studying at the Royal Academy Schools from 1799. His paintings reflected his passion for the English countryside, which he eagerly travelled across making sketches directly from nature. 

The newly discovered sketch is estimated to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000 when it is offered at Martel Maides Auctions in Guernsey on 21 September 2023.