Long lost painting by Cornish artist Wallis could fetch £30,000

"LONG-LOST" painting by self-taught Cornish artist Alfred Wallis, thought to show the Forth Rail Bridge, is to be sold at auction.

- LUCINDA CAMERON

The untitled artwork, which has been in a private collection for nearly 90 years, will go under the hammer at Roseberys in London next month with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.

It will be the first time the painting has appeared on the open market.

Wallis (1855-1942) was born in Devon and worked as a fisherman before turning to painting in the 1920s, becoming known for his naive style and maritime subject matter.

His work is said to have had a major influence on early British Modernists including Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood, who first discovered his work on a trip to St Ives in 1928.