An oil painting by John Constable has been discovered in Guernsey after going missing for 40 years.

The sketch, from June 1814, has reemerged in a private collection in Guernsey and is expected to fetch up to £120,000 at auction.

It features Willy Lott’s House in Flatford, Suffolk – the subject of several of Constable’s paintings and most notably The Hay Wain.

It was the home of tenant farmer Willy Lott and is a Grade I listed building to reflect its significance in Constable’s works.

A rare Italian scholarly publication listed the canvas painting in 1979 – the last known location before its reappearance 40 years later.

An oil painting (pictured) by John Constable has been discovered in Guernsey after going missing for 40 years

Auctioneers Martel Maides have released an image of the receipt showing the purchase of the sketch from Hugh Constable, grandson of the painter, in October 1899. 

The sketch, from June 1814, has reemerged in a private collection in Guernsey and is expected to fetch up to £120,000 at auction. Pictured: A close-up of J Constable’s name on the painting 

The painting is 11.5in by 9.6in and is meant to symbolise the 19th century painter’s love for the Suffolk countryside.

Research carried out by experts helped to confirm its origin by tracing the painting back to Constable’s grandson.

Auctioneers Martel Maides have released an image of the receipt showing the purchase of the sketch from Hugh Constable, grandson of the painter, in October 1899.

Jonathan Voak, paintings specialist at auction house Martel Maides, said: ‘The re-emergence of this oil sketch will make an important contribution towards establishing the chronology of Constable’s oeuvre.

‘Dated June 1814, it provides an important point of reference against which other undated works can be compared.

‘This beautiful, freely-painted, oil study is a rare combination of a work by a great artist that has both historical significance and aesthetic appeal.’

A rare Italian scholarly publication listed the canvas painting in 1979 – the last known location before its reappearance 40 years later

Pictured is the back of the canvas painting and the receipt can be seen at the bottom of the frame

The sketch is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000 when it goes to auction on September 21.

Constable, who was born in Suffolk, is famous for his landscapes and focus on nature, with some of his work also featuring parts of Salisbury, Brighton, and Hampstead.

Though his paintings are well-known today, they were not so well received in England during his lifetime.