Lost work by Paul Nash to be the centrepiece of a new exhibit at the Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool

A First World War watercolour and chalk drawing, which has gone unseen for the last 40 years, will be the centrepiece of a new exhibition at the Grundy Art Gallery.

Sanctuary Wood (1917) by Paul Nash, one of the most important landscape artists of the first half of the twentieth century, is part of a series created while he was recovering from his injuries sustained in the war, with the other works displayed at the Tate Gallery and Imperial War Museum.

The piece was donated to the gallery by the Contemporary Art Society in 1924, but has been missing for the last 40 years. It was rediscovered during the gallery staff’s work to catalogue its current collection and will be shown as part of an exhibition titled Beyond the Frame (Saturday 13 February to Saturday 22 April). The exhibition will display a selection of key works from periods in the gallery’s history, and will offer visitors a behind the scenes glimpse into the world of how the collection is used and cared for.

Cllr Vikki Singleton, Lead Member for Arts at Blackpool Council, said: “This drawing is a real find. It’s a glimpse of history that we thought was lost forever however I’m delighted that we’ve been able to rediscover it so that it can be shared with visitors to the gallery."

Curator of the Grundy Art Gallery, Richard Parry, said: “This is a significant rediscovery – it’s an important work in the story of twentieth century British art and it’s wonderful to be able to bring it out finally for people to enjoy after all these years.”

Read more: www.grundyartgallery.com