Constable Country

The county of Suffolk is well known for its picturesque villages, quaint thatched cottages, and its unspoilt rural landscapes.

Although Suffolk is famous for artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Churchyard, and Sir Alfred Munnings, it is the 19th century landscape painter John Constable that still captures everyone's attention today.


Self portrait - Pencil & watercolour 1806

Born 50 years after Gainsborough on the 11th June 1776 in the village of East Bergholt in Suffolk, he came from a respectable family of two brothers and three sisters. His father, Golding Constable, was a wealthy corn merchant who owned a number of properties and land in the area.

John Constable spent his early years sketching scenes from the countryside surrounding his home, and it could be said that it was this period that influenced him the most.

Golding Constable was eager for his son to take over the family business and decided to enroll him at a day school and to train him as a miller. John reluctantly spent a year doing this before he managed to persuade his father to allow him to pursue his artistic interests.

In 1799 Constable was admitted to the Royal Academy School where he studied anatomy, life drawing, and the Old Masters. But he became disillusioned with life in London when it became apparent that landscape painting was frowned upon by the Academy.

In 1802 Constable painted "Dedham Vale" which was a reinterpretation of the Old Masters he'd been studying at the Academy.


Dedham Vale - Oil on canvas 1802


Stour Valley & Dedham Church - Oil on canvas 1814


Boat building near Flatford Mill - Oil on canvas 1815

By the age of 33, he'd reached the height of his abilities. Unfortunately, he was unable to support himself or earn a decent living from his work. He was also disheartened by the fact that he had not been elected an Associate of the Academy, or a full member.

It was around this time that he fell in love with his childhood friend Maria Bicknell who was younger than Constable and came from a rich family. However, the relationship was problematic because her grandfather, the rector of East Bergholt, opposed their engagement.


Maria Bicknell - Oil on canvas 1816

If it wasn't for Constables' perseverance and sheer determination, their relationship would have failed, but on 2nd October 1816 they finally married.

During the next three years, Constable began his work with a renewed passion, bringing his paintings to life with vivid colours and striking brushstrokes.

The first financially successful painting he sold was a large-scale canvas called "The White Horse", which depicts a horse being ferried over the River Stour.


The White Horse - Oil on canvas 1819

The River Stour became a popular theme for Constable, and his "six-footers" are among some of the best known images of British art.

In 1820 he began working on "The Hay Wain", but this proved troublesome and he had to ask the son of a friend to provide him with an accurate drawing.


The Hay Wain - Oil on canvas 1821

When this painting was initially exhibited at The Royal Academy it failed to sell. When exhibited in France, Constable was awarded a Gold Medal by Charles X. His paintings were extremely popular in France, having sold more than twenty in just a few years.


The Lock (A Boat Passing a Lock) - Oil on canvas 1824

Constable spent some time living in Brighton in an attempt to improve his wifes' failing health. He produced a lot of work during his stay, but the only large-scale canvas from this area is "Chain Pier".


Chain Pier - Oil on canvas 1826

Another remarkable piece of art from this period is "Brighton Beach, with colliers" which depicts coal brigs against a blue sky.


Brighton Beach, with colliers - Oil on paper 1824


The Leaping Horse - Oil on canvas 1825

Marias' health declined, and in November 1828 she fell ill and died of Tuberculosis at the age of forty one. This had a profound effect on Constable, and from then on he always dressed in black and appeared to be in mourning.

The painting below clearly illustrates the immense loneliness and anxiety that Constable would have been experiencing during this painful period.


Hadleigh Castle - Oil on canvas 1829

During the next seven years, Constables' outlook on life gradually improved, and after an unfortunate gamble with some inheritance money he began to get back on track.


Cottage at East Bergholt - Oil on canvas 1833


The Valley Farm - Oil on canvas 1835

He was elected a full member of the Royal Academy in February 1829, and in 1831 was appointed Visitor at the Royal Academy.

He began to deliver public lectures on the history of landscape painting, which proved to be very popular.

John Constable died on the evening of March 31st 1837, and was buried beside his wife in St John-at-Hampstead church, London.

Constable was inspired by a wide variety of classical artists, of particular interest are: Claude Lorrain, Peter Paul Rubens, Annibale Carracci, Jacob Isaakszoon van Ruysdael, and Thomas Gainsborough.

If you'd like to find out more about Constable and the landscape that captured his imagination I would suggest visiting the Constable country, Essex and Suffolk walking guide published by the Guardian Newspaper.

Another excellent source of information is The Great Landscapes Constable Exhibition provided by the Tate Gallery. A really unique feature of the website is that it allows you to compare modern-day photographs of the landscape with Constables' paintings.

I'd also recommend taking a look at A Sketchbook by Constable provided by the V&A Museum. It's a selection of images from the pocket sketchbooks that Constable used during 1814.

Finally, if you'd like to experience rural life in the 16th century I would highly recommend visiting the Flatford: Bridge Cottage National Trust site, which hosts a Constable exhibition. This is an excellent base for walks along the River Stour. It's got a pleasant, riverside tea room, which will provide the weary traveller ample opportunity to relax over a refreshing drink.

All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons