A lavishly illustrated appraisal of the life and work of John Constable (1776-1837) - In addition to his celebrated Suffolk scenes, this volume also features the magisterial productions of his later years such as Chain Pier, Brighton and The Opening of Waterloo Bridge Although he never lost his affection for the scenery of the Suffolk-Essex border, Constable gradually extended the range of his subject matter. His visits, in particular, to Salisbury, and to Brighton, providing him with much new material. But it was Hampstead that became the main focus of his later work and that most transient of all natural phenomena, sky. In an attempt to counter the neglect and misunderstanding of his work during his lifetime, Constable collaborated on a series of mezzotints after his works, accompanied by explanatory texts. M eeting failure even here, he wrote: "Every gleam of sunshine is blighted to me in the art at least. Can it therefore be wondered at that I paint continual storms." John Constable is arguably the best-loved of English artists. Barry Venning's thorough introduction considers Constable's background, family life, education, and early patronage, support and advice.
He goes on to discuss the artist's relationship within the great tradition of European landscape painting and examines - through narrative and over 200 full-colour illustrations - the historical and cultural context in which the painter lived and worked.
Barry Venning is an art historian who was educated at the University of York and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He has a particular interest in British landscape painting and has published articles in the Burlington Magazine, Art History and Turner Studies. He currently teaches at Chelsea College of Art and for the Open University.