The Holy Family with St John the Baptist, see detail pictured right, thought to have been painted around 1627/28, is an oil on panel, 21in by 2ft 71/2in (53 x 80cm). It is expected to fetch about £600,000.
The picture’s existence only became clear when the former Keeper of the Queen’s Pictures, Anthony Blunt, wrote a monograph on Poussin declaring that an engraving showed that there must be an original painting somewhere.
The work was recently rediscovered by the Galerie Koller, having been in the possession of a noble French family for the past 200 years. The family had emigrated to Switzerland in the 16th century. The Galerie also reports that the attribution has been confirmed by Sir Dennis Mahon as well as by French experts.
Charlotte Brontë as painter
Another rediscovery leading to a rare offering at auction is the portrait miniature, right, by Charlotte Brontë.
Uncovered during a routine house valuation at Sutton on Sea, the miniature, which is thought to be worth in the region of £10,000, had been lost for over 100 years, its whereabouts last being recorded in 1895.
The sitter of the portrait is a Mrs Hudson who lived at Easton Farm near Bridlington where Charlotte and her friend Ellen Nussey visited in 1839. It is thought that the portrait was painted during their stay.
“It is difficult to estimate what this will realise as there is no precedent for the sale of a portrait miniature by Charlotte Brontë in recent years,” said Bruce Fern, managing director of Neales of Nottingham where the portrait will be put up for auction on November 29.
Rediscovered Poussin for sale
A ‘LOST’ painting by the great 17th century French painter Nicolas Poussin has come to light and will be offered for sale by Galerie Koller in Zurich on October 5.
