Turner's 'Modern Rome' masterpiece poised to be record-breaker

28 March 2010

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J.M.W. Turner at Sotheby's

Sotheby's is touting Modern Rome — Campo Vaccino as "arguably the finest" J.M.W. Turner painting left in private hands. With rarity, condition, and provenance adding to its allure as a work of art, this painting, by one of Britain's most beloved artists, may easily exceed the estimate of £12 million to £18 million in the July sale.

The painting has been in the collection of the Earls of Rosebery since 1878. It's been on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh since 1978.

The auction record for Turner is £20.5 million for Giudecca, La Donna della Salute and San Giorgio sold in 2006.

Read more at Times Online

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