A RARE painting by renowned Derby artist Joseph Wright that had been "lost" for 200 years could sell for between £70,000 and £90,000 at auction.
The painting, named Landscape with Rainbow, was inherited by a family in West Sussex.
It is believed to be a second version of the painting by the 18th-century artist – the first being currently displayed at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
And it will now go under the hammer on Wednesday, April 24, at Bellmans Auctioneers, in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, where it is expected to sell for £70,000 to £90,000.
The painting arrived at the auctioneers after one of their specialists had work completed by a local builder, who told them their family had inherited the Joseph Wright painting.
After deliberation, the family decided to sell the oil painting and they took it to the auctioneers in early January.
James Gadd, paintings specialist at Bellmans auctioneers, said: "Bellmans are very excited to be offering such a potentially important painting attributed to arguably the most significant artist of the Industrial Revolution.
"Wright's style is widely recognised and is in the collections of some of the most prominent galleries in the UK and further afield.
"I will certainly be extremely interested to see the market's interest in a picture closely comparable with one in the largest collection of Wright's work at Derby Museum."
It is understood there are two versions of the painting – one which is at Derby Museum and Art Gallery while the other remained unaccountable, until now.
It is thought the missing painting was originally produced for Nathanial Philips in 1795 and was scheduled to be sent to America.
But it disappeared and had not been traced until it was taken to Bellmans Auctioneers earlier this year.
The other painting was documented to have been part of the contents of Joseph Wright's studio sale, which took place in 1801.
Wright's daughter and descendants took possession of the painting and it was later passed to A. J. Keene before being purchased by the Derby Museum in 1913.
On discovery of this, the team at Bellmans took the painting to the Derby Museum to make a direct comparison and discuss Landscape with Rainbow with the Joseph Wright experts.
Derby Museums Trust along with the Derby Museum and Art Gallery were unavailable for comment.
The sale will begin at 2pm, with pre-viewing available.
Viewing for the painting is available at Bellman's auctioneers from Friday, April 19, to Tuesday, April 23.
For more information, visit www.bellmans.co.uk
