John Constable
1776–1837 · Romanticism & Landscape
Biography
John Constable (1776–1837) was an English Romantic landscape painter, famous for his views of his native Suffolk. His fresh observation of light and clouds influenced French painters, including the Barbizon School.
From the artist’s life
John Constable, son of Golding Constable, a wealthy miller and corn merchant, was born on 11 June 1776 at East Bergholt in Suffolk. He lived most of his life in this region. While most landscape painters of the time travelled far and wide to find picturesque landscapes, Constable never left England. His name is so closely linked with his native Stour Valley that the area is often referred to simply as “Constable Country”. Success came late to Constable, who often found it difficult to support his large family (his wife, Maria, bore him seven children before her death in 1828). Several times he strayed from the path of landscape painting and painted portraits of local dignitaries to supplement his income. John Constable died on 31 March 1837 and was laid to rest at St John’s Church in London. Today he is regarded as one of England’s greatest landscape painters.
From the page of The Hay Wain
John Constable (1776–1837), an English painter, devoted his work to the landscapes of his native Suffolk and to direct study of nature and skies. His work strongly influenced French landscape painters.
From the page of Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop’s Grounds
