Rediscovered Turner Painting Sparks Art World Excitement
A long-lost oil painting by J.M.W. Turner, hailed as one of Britain’s most celebrated Romantic artists, has been rediscovered after more than 150 years, igniting widespread excitement among art historians and collectors. The work, titled The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol, was painted in 1792 when Turner was just 17 years old and is believed to be his first oil painting ever exhibited publicly.
The painting depicts the Hot Wells House, a Georgian-era spa near Bristol, viewed from St. Vincent’s Rock on the east bank of the River Avon, before the construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Turner based the composition on earlier sketches and watercolors, both of which are held by Tate Britain. The piece first appeared at the Royal Academy in 1793, just days after Turner’s 18th birthday, and was later acquired by Reverend Robert Nixon, a patron of the artist’s father’s barber shop.
After its last public display in Tasmania in 1858, the painting fell into obscurity, passing through private hands and eventually being misattributed to a lesser-known artist. It was sold at auction last year for just $506, mistakenly believed to be the work of an unknown painter. The true identity of the painting was revealed during restoration, when Turner’s signature was uncovered beneath layers of old varnish.
Leading scholars have since confirmed the attribution, describing the discovery as a significant addition to Turner’s legacy and a rare glimpse into his early mastery of light and landscape. Julian Gascoigne, a senior specialist at Sotheby’s, called the painting “a captivating and highly educational glimpse into his early artistic style,” highlighting Turner’s ambition and skill even as a teenager.
The Rising Squall will be publicly displayed at Sotheby’s in London from June 28 to July 1, ahead of its auction on July 2. The painting is expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000 ($270,000–$405,000), a dramatic increase from its previous sale price. The rediscovery comes as Turner is being commemorated worldwide in 2025, marking the 250th anniversary of his birth, with exhibitions planned in the UK, US, and China.
Further studies are planned to confirm the painting’s historical context, but experts agree that its reappearance is a landmark event for the art world, offering new insights into the formative years of one of Britain’s greatest painters.