As I was walking through the Suffolk countryside a few weeks ago, I could only stop and admire the beauty of it all. The trees, the wildlife, the river. Even the yellowish greens in the fields.
Something John Constable did quite frequently.
Born in 1776 in East Bergholt, Suffolk, Constable is one of Britains notorious Landscape artists... But actually not during his time! In fact, Constable was much more
appreciated across the Channel in France.
(The French know good art when they see it!)
His famous Hay Wain painting (below) won a gold medal at The Salon in Paris in 1824.
Constables artwork transitioned from the romantic period to a much more lifelike scene. His use of colour and his appreciation for rural nature was really stunning and nothing like any artist had done before him. His use of paint to capture realistic clouds and trees stood out amongst his fellow artists. However, a rivalry began... Enter Turner. The battle of the landscape artists begins!
Turner and Constable both studied at the Royal Academy at the same time, both aiming to be the next big landscape painter. Turner hitting all the critics needs, painting after painting, however, Constable was always in the back lagging behind. Turners paintings symbolised landscapes that the critics could "feel", whereas Constable's paintings showed exactly what could be seen. (Something I always had trouble with in college!) Turner was also very savvy. Public in the 18th Century were always on the lookout for a landscape painting. Turner would paint exactly what the public wanted, knocking out landscape after landscape. Constable on the other hand, took his time, painted portraits on commission and in fact, only ever sold 20 paintings in his lifetime.
Constable envied Turner. The money, the fame, the paintings. Constable once said, "Did you ever see a picture by Turner and not wish to possess it?" and he would often praise Turner in public, saying his paintings were "Golden visions, glorious and beautiful."
However, I believe Constables paintings are as "glorious" if not more "beautiful" as Turners. No offence to any Turner fans out there!
On reflection, with myself living only 20 minutes or so from "Constables country" in East Begholt, researching this wonderful artist has made me appreciate the local area, the skills in which Constable painted and his outlook on the Great British countryside.
I think it's about time I took my easel and paints out into a field!