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John Constable
John Constable (1776 – 1837) transformed the way we see the English landscape. Our rich collection of works by Constable ranges from drawings made directly from nature, to oil paintings that demonstrate the inventiveness and vitality for which he is renowned. Highlights include the full-scale preparatory sketch for 'The Hay Wain'.
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Constable was among the earliest artists in the V&A's collection thanks to an 1856 donation of six paintings by the collector John Sheepshanks. However, the heart of this incredible collection was provided by Isabel Constable, the artist's daughter. Her donation of 297 drawings and watercolours, 92 oil sketches, three easel paintings and three sketchbooks provides an unparalleled insight into the work and process of this master.
Collection highlights
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A Mill on the Banks of the River Stour, drawing, by John Constable, 1802, England -
Boat building near Flatford Mill, oil painting, by John Constable, about 1815, England -
Shoreham Bay, Evening Sunset, oil painting, by John Constable, 1828, England -
Brighton Beach, oil painting, John Constable, 1824, Britain. Museum no. 783-1888. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
A Hayfield near East Bergholt at Sunset, oil painting, by John Constable, 1812, England -
The State Opening of Waterloo Bridge from Whitehall Stairs, oil painting, by John Constable, about 1819, England -
Old Sarum, watercolour, by John Constable, 1834, Salisbury, England -
View of The Stour With Dedham Church in the Distance, drawing, by John Constable, about 1832 – 36, England -
Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree, oil painting, by John Constable, about 1821, Britain -
A Suffolk Child, a sketch for The Valley Farm, watercolour, by John Constable, about 1835, England -
Salisbury Cathedral from The Bishop`s Ground, oil painting, by John Constable, 1823, England
Features
John Constable – an introduction
John Constable's work transformed the genre of landscape painting and shaped the enduring popular image of the English countryside
John Constable's sketches
Find out how and why Constable created his sketches and studies, celebrated as showing 'nature caught in the very act'
Constable's watercolour sketches
Take a closer look at the techniques used by Constable in his later works
Constable's oil sketches
Find out how a previously unrecorded oil sketch by John Constable was discovered by V&A experts
Header image: Background image: Shoreham Bay, Evening Sunset, John Constable, 1828, England. Museum no. 155-1888. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Shoreham Bay, Evening Sunset, John Constable, 1828, England. Museum no. 155-1888. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London