John Constable

Biography

John Constable was born in East Bergholt in Suffolk on 11th June, 1776. His younger years were spent in and around the Stour valley and it was here that the schoolmaster indulged Constable’s interest in drawing. He also went on more practical sketching expeditions with the local plumber and glazier, John Dunthorne.

After a brief stint of working for the family business which he never enjoyed, to his relief his younger brother showed an interest in running the business. Constable’s father gave him his blessing and sent him on to the Royal Academy School. Constable was a very hardworking student but suffered from homesickness for his friends and family and also the beautiful countryside.

Constable then met Maria and they had a difficult courtship as he wasn’t seen fit to be a husband because of his financial struggles. Many years of a forbidden relationship took its toll and he gained a reputation for being hostile, arrogant and also sarcastic, particularly in his professional dealings, which as a consequence certainly didn’t help him sell any paintings. He was however unfailingly generous and affectionate with his family.

Marriage and fatherhood released new powers of creativity in Constable and he was soon at work on his larger pieces. In 1820 he started work on 'The Hay Wain' which was to be his most famous painting but sadly made little impact in England and was eventually bought by a French dealer.

Constable’s life was hit by tragedy just as he was achieving professional independence, when his wife fell ill and died in 1828. After much depression he did work again, but the period of his greatest achievements was over. In 1835 he painted 'The Valley Farm' which was to be his last major picture of Suffolk. Constable died a few years later on March 31st, 1837.

Download PDF