A painting of a historic "monumental view" by a Kent artist in his hometown is set to be sold at auction.

The artwork of St Augustine’s in Canterbury was crafted by the Victorian impressionist artist Thomas Cooper, who was born in the city in 1803.

The artist's work of the landmark building is estimated to sell for between £60,000 and £80,000 and is described as "one of his grandest and most successful depictions of the ancient city".

It will go under the hammer at Bonhams auction house in London next Wednesday during a specialist sale of pieces by 19th century and British impressionist artists.

Charles O’Brien, Bonhams director of 19th century paintings, said: "The buildings and environs of Canterbury, Cooper's native city, were one of his favourite subjects appearing in many different compositions."

The abbey was founded by St Augustine in about 598 – who landed in Thanet and is renowned for introducing Christianity to England – and was originally built as the burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent.

It once rivalled Canterbury's Cathedral in size but the dissolution of the monasteries under the reign of Henry VIII saw it almost reduced to ruins in 1538.

A few years later, parts of the Abbey were rebuilt before it lost favour and was let to nobles and gentry.

Historians believe the site was one of the most important centres of learning and spirituality in England for almost 1,000 years and it is also thought to have been the birthplace of the Bayeux Tapestry – depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

After the dissolution of the monastery, it became a royal palace, poorhouse, a gaol and later a school.

Today, the ruins are managed by English Heritage and form part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site.