A valuable painting by one of Britain’s most famous 20th century painters has sold for more than double its estimated value.

The painting by impressionist Edward Seago, featured in the December sale at Charles Ross Fine Art Auctioneers in Woburn.

Valuers put an estimate of £8,000 to £12,000 on the painting, but it was eventually sold to a dealer for £22,000.

The oil painting, The Basin Steps, depicts a view of the harbour at Honfleur in France and was painted after the Second World War, during which Seago worked as a war artist.

The canvas was found leaning against a wall in a house near Woburn by valuer and auctioneer David Fletcher, who was on a routine house visit to look at furniture.

He said: “The owner had recently moved and did not have space to hang it.

“She knew it was a nice painting but did not realise it was worth quite so much.

“It was a lovely surprise for me to see something really special like that.

“There were not many impressionists in England as it was not fashionable here, but he is one of those artists whose work always finds buyers, it has universal appeal.”

Charles Ross hold monthly sales of fine art and antiques as well as Victorian and later furniture in the Old Town Hall Saleroom which is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Woburn. The town is located close to junction 13 of the M1.

www.charles-ross.co.uk

Posted: 01|4|08 at 5:27 pm. Filed under: Auction News.