Turner painting fails to sell

Donnington Castle watercolour returned to Donnington owner after failing to reach reserve price

A TURNER watercolour of Donnington Castle, set to be auctioned in Newbury yesterday (Wednesday), has not sold, after bids failed to reach the lowest estimated value.

The 19th century watercolour by Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (1775 to 1851) went on sale at a noon auction of Old Master and 19th Century paintings, held by Dreweatts at Donnington Priory, on behalf of a local Donnington vendor, with a price tag of between £40,000 and £60,000.

According to Dreweatts, bids reached as high as £38,000, but the painting, signed with the artist's initials in the lower left corner, remained unsold after failing to reach the lowest reserve price (£40,000).

“It was a bit of a disappointment,” said Dreweatts spokeswoman, Tori Billington, adding there were quite a few bidders, including by telephone and online.

The vendor is to yet to receive confirmation, along with Dreweatts' recommendation as to whether to put the painting back on the market at a future date.

A key part of local history and situated half a mile from the auction room, Donnington Castle played a major part in the English Civil War and First and Second Battles of Newbury, before a 1646 Parliamentary demolition order, which left only the gatehouse and surrounding earthworks.