A long-lost watercolour by the celebrated British artist J.M.W. Turner has sold at auction for a staggering £1.8 million, a price significantly influenced by a remarkable and unlikely brush with 20th-century art history. The work, titled 'Mother's Frustration', was discovered in a private collection and sold by the London-based auction house Roseberys on Thursday, 4 December 2025.
A Chance Encounter with a Modern Master
The story behind the watercolour's surge in value is as compelling as the artwork itself. The painting was found tucked inside a book that once belonged to the legendary modern painter Francis Bacon. According to the vendor, the book was purchased at a sale of Bacon's estate contents in the 1990s, and the Turner work was discovered within its pages decades later.
This extraordinary provenance created a unique narrative that captivated bidders. The auction house confirmed that the connection to Bacon, a titan of post-war British art, generated immense interest and undoubtedly contributed to the final hammer price, which far exceeded pre-sale estimates.
The Artwork and Its Journey
'Mother's Frustration' is a delicate and evocative watercolour study. It depicts a domestic scene where a mother figure is shown with a child, rendered in Turner's characteristically expressive and luminous style. The work had been missing from public and scholarly view for many years, making its rediscovery a significant event for art historians.
The watercolour was sold as part of Roseberys' 'Fine Pictures' auction in London. The identity of the buyer has not been publicly disclosed, but the sale represents a major coup for the auction house and a highlight of the winter art market.
Implications for the Art Market
This sale underscores several enduring truths within the art world. Firstly, it highlights the powerful role that provenance and story play in determining an artwork's value. The tangible link between two iconic British artists from different centuries transformed the piece from a mere rediscovery into a historical artefact with a compelling biography.
Secondly, it demonstrates the continued and robust demand for works by J.M.W. Turner, one of Britain's most revered painters. His masterful use of light and colour in watercolour remains highly sought after by collectors and institutions globally.
Finally, the tale of its discovery—hidden in a book owned by Francis Bacon—serves as a reminder to all collectors and enthusiasts to look carefully through their possessions. As this sale proves, masterpieces can still be found in the most unexpected places, waiting to rewrite a small piece of art history.
