Rare nude sketch by Constable discovered

A sketch of a naked woman by John Constable that was hidden away for more than a century – apparently because it was considered too risqué – has sold for four times its estimated valuation.

The pencil drawing featuring a bare bottom was placed in an album of other work by the English artist but had a dinner invitation pasted over it. The hidden sketch was discovered when the album was bought by a collector and has now been sold on at Bonhams in London for £20,000.

Charlie O'Brien, head of 19th century paintings at Bonhams, said: "It is a beautiful drawing and although it was drawn in the early 1800s it was remarkably modern for its time."It has a wonderful sense of movement, with the way the woman turns her head over her shoulder. It does have great resonance with collectors today.

"The Victorians' attitude to nude art was more puritan than today and the owner of this album wouldn't have been the first to cover up such work, although a more innocent drawing is hard to imagine. They probably didn't want to offend guests, especially women, when opening up the album.

"The album was bought by an art dealer years later. When he was looking through it, the previously hidden drawing came to light hidden underneath an invitation to a Royal Academy dinner.

"There was some minor staining to it but it was in pretty good condition considering its age. Covering it actually helped preserve it by keeping it out of the light.

【编辑：黄辉】