An Old Master painting worth hundreds of thousands of pounds has been discovered in the attic of a MasterChef judge's family home.
The work, by 18th Century Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, is valued at around £150,000 to £250,000, but is expected to reach higher figures due to the popularity of Tiepolo's Punchinello series and the Italian muse's global following.
The painting was found by descendants of writer and poet Dame Edith Sitwell, whose brother, Osbert Sitwell, purchased the piece in the great Henry Oppenheimer sale at Christie's auction house in 1936.
Osbert Sitwell is the great uncle of MasterChef judge William Sitwell, and was found as they were clearing out the attic of their family seat of nearly 300 years.
The work is by 18th Century Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, and is expected to go higher than its value of around £150,000 to £250,000 because of the Italian muse's global following
Now the painting is to go under the hammer as part of a two-day auction of the contents of Grade II listed manor house Weston Hall in Northamptonshire.
Henrietta Sitwell, William's sister, said: 'The drawing was purchased by my great uncle Osbert Sitwell in the great Henry Oppenheimer sale at Christie's in 1936.
'No one seemed to know where it was, or even give it a second thought until one day last year when we were sorting through the many attics of Weston. We found it wrapped in bubble wrap, leaning against the wall.
'As I peeled back the wrapping, I instantly recognised it as something special, having studied the history of art at university.
MasterChef critic William Sitwell, pictured left with fellow critics Jay Rayner, centre, and Tracey MacLeod, is related to the late Dame Edith Sitwell, a writer and poet whose brother, Osbert Sitwell, purchased the Tiepolo painting
'This Tiepolo drawing is one of many exciting discoveries made in the attics of Weston Hall and it was thrilling to think that such a captivating and important work of art by such a revered Old Master was just lying there gathering dust over the years.'
The work featured hook-nosed, humpbacked clowns who were one prominent figure in Commedia dell'Arte, which was an early form of professional theatre, performed during the 16th century before becoming popular across Europe.
The funny-looking creatures, known as 'Punchinello', fascinated Tiepolo, who spent his career illustrating their binge drinking and passing out from inebriation after greedily gorging on feasts.
The 18th Century painting was found in the attic of Grade II listed manor house Weston Hall in Northamptonshires, the Sitwell's family seat of 300 years
The Sitwell's painting was one of 104 amusing paintings inspired by the Verneri Gnocolar, a tradition in Verona on the last Friday of Carnival, where plates of gnocchi, wine, and polenta were given out to the crowds in the main square by 'Papà del Gnoco'.
The artist's mischievous depictions of Punchinello became the inspiration behind Punch, half of the British puppet comedy duo, Punch and Judy.
Dreweatts was appointed to sell the contents of Weston Hall after its current owner, renowned food critic and MasterChef judge William Sitwell, decided to put the high society home on the market.
Coming complete with a tennis court, a swimming pool and 49-acres of lavish gardens and woodland are all part of the society family's home which is up for sale for a sweet £3.25million.
Organisers of the sale hope that the event highlights the history of the eminent family of esteemed writers, eccentrics, pioneers, and creatives through the centuries.
Speaking last year when his ancestral family home went up for sale, William, 52, said: 'Given my personal attachment to Weston Hall, and my family’s link to the property since 1714, saying goodbye is terribly sad and a wrench, but whoever the future owner is will find that it’s wonderful in so many ways.
Weston Hall has been in the Sitwell family since 1714 and went up for sale last year for £3.25million with estate agents Knight Frank, featuring 49-acres of garden and woodland
The Grade II listed manor house comes complete with ten bedrooms, five bathrooms, seven reception rooms, a tennis court, a swimming pool and stables
Writer and MasterChef critic Sitwell said of the sale of his beloved home: 'It’s not just the four walls of bricks and mortar on offer to the buyer, there is also a wonderful spirit and atmosphere to the place - which I’m sure will be cherished by the future owner.'
