Council sells Constable sketch for 17,400 pounds
The charcoal drawing, commissioned in the early 1800s, has been sitting in storage at Solihull Council since it bought it in the early 1990s.
Council chiefs refused to put it on public view in case it got damaged.
With mounting debts they put the drawing, a sketch of Malvern Hall, near Solihull, West Mids, up for auction.
The drawing was commissioned by the then owner of the hall, Henry Greswolde.
A priceless oil painting based on the sketch hangs in Tate Britain - but until now the original had not been seen.
Councillor Ken Meeson, the leader of Solihull Council, said cuts in Government funding had forced the sale.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
Council chiefs refused to put it on public view in case it got damaged.
With mounting debts they put the drawing, a sketch of Malvern Hall, near Solihull, West Mids, up for auction.
The drawing was commissioned by the then owner of the hall, Henry Greswolde.
A priceless oil painting based on the sketch hangs in Tate Britain - but until now the original had not been seen.
Councillor Ken Meeson, the leader of Solihull Council, said cuts in Government funding had forced the sale.