Couple find 10ft Jesus painting in their barn

A couple who found a large painting of Jesus in a Cornish barn are looking for help to find out more information about the person who painted it.

Sarah Worne and her husband bought the plot of land near Lostwithiel in October. The site included the barn which the couple said was filled with 30 pieces of plasterboard and hardboard, and hidden inside was the painting.

The cross, which is about 10ft (3m) tall, depicts the crucifixion of Jesus and possibly the Virgin Mary and his disciple John, they said.

Mrs Worne, a former art teacher, said: "We didn't expect any real treasures, we've got a lot of rubbish in there but this was a treasure."

Mrs Worne said: "It was a surprise to be fair. We didn't expect to find that.

"I think it's very interesting. It's quite well painted, it's in quite good condition."

At first, Mrs Worne thought it was similar to the artwork produced in Newlyn from the 1920s and 1930s.

She said there was a similar revival of this religious style of painting among the artists in the Cornish town at that time.

"I've looked at the paintings in St Hilary Church down near Newlyn and the paintings are definitely in the same style," she said.

Mrs Worne added that initially she could not find any marks from the artist.

However, recently she found a faint signature on the reverse of the painting which said Teresa Fuller 1951 - 1952.

Mrs Worne said very little was known about the artist and she had appealed for people's help to find out more.

To protect it, the painting is being housed in St Bartholomew's Church in Lostwithiel.

The Reverend Sheila Bawden said: "The painting shows Jesus on the cross fully dressed.

"Now all the paintings I have seen of him, when he's being crucified, he's been on the cross with just his loin cloth on.

"And also, as one of the churchwardens pointed out, he's got no beard.

"And Mary and John are both looking up at him.

"It's quite stunning, it really is," she said.

Mrs Worne said she had so far failed to get in contact with the previous owners to ask more about the painting.

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