A PAINTING by John Constable has been unveiled for the first time in almost 200 years.

Fisherman and labourers working on the beach inspired the 19th century English artist to produce 'Colliers unloading on Hove Beach, looking towards Shoreham, Brighton'.

The masterpiece is now on public display for the first time in the Royal Pavilion, thanks to art collector and former Brighton resident Danny Katz.

The painting, which was rediscovered in 2017, is a significant addition to Constable’s work.

Previously unknown to art experts, it belonged to French collector Camille Groult, who established the most significant collection of British art in France in the 19th century.

It is based on a series of drawings in pencil of shipping on the seafront, made on Brighton and Hove beaches.

The painting is on a long-term loan to the Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust.

Mr Katz started his career in 1968 while working in the family business of antique dealing in Brighton and is now one of the world’s leading art dealers.

Constable first visited Brighton in 1824, relocating his family for his wife’s health.

During this time, Constable completed The Hay Wain, which won a gold medal at the Paris Salon that year, and sold The Lock at the Royal Academy exhibition. The Lock is believed to be the highest priced Constable, reaching £22,441,250 at auction in 2012.

Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust chief executive Hedley Swain said: “This wonderful unseen work of art will be displayed in the Royal Pavilion nearly 200 years after its creation and about 200 years after the completion of John Nash’s Royal Pavilion – so it is particularly timely for us to unveil this beautiful and important painting, once again at home in Brighton.

“We are deeply grateful to Danny in his generosity in bringing this wonderful painting back for the people of Brighton and Hove and all our visitors to enjoy. Danny is a son of Brighton and I know how important it is to him to be supporting us and his home city.”

Mr Katz said: “The romantic, vigorous and exciting canvas is something of a metaphor for the city of Brighton itself, and I’m very proud to be able to send the picture home for a period of time, where it can be enjoyed by visitors to the Royal Pavilion from elsewhere, but in particular by residents of the city.

“I felt compelled to acquire it when it appeared on the market, because it is an extraordinary painting, but also because it is a unique large-scale sketch that only exists in this 4ft format, and the subject is my home town of Brighton.”

The painting will be on display to the public in the Royal Pavilion on the ground floor and will be free for ticket holders.