From the artist's life
Constable made dozens of open-air oil sky studies, noting the exact date, time and weather of each cloud.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaRomanticism
John Constable
John Constable (1776–1837) was a master of English landscape, who painted the fields, skies and rivers of his native Suffolk with fresh, direct observation. The Hay Wain is among Britain's best-loved paintings.
Constable's fresh skies and free brushwork astonished French painters and helped spark the Barbizon school and Impressionism.
- Painted the working landscape of his native Suffolk with deep affection.
- His fresh skies and broken brushwork influenced French painting.
- The Hay Wain remains one of Britain's most beloved images.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- The Hay WainOn ArtAtlas
- Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's GroundsListed for reference
- The CornfieldListed for reference
- Salisbury Cathedral from the MeadowsListed for reference
- Wivenhoe ParkListed for reference
- The Vale of DedhamListed for reference
- Flatford MillListed for reference
- Weymouth Bay: Bowleaze Cove and Jordon HillListed for reference
- The LockListed for reference
- Hadleigh Castle, The Mouth of the Thames--Morning after a Stormy NightListed for reference
- Dedham Lock and MillListed for reference
1821
The Hay Wain
The Hay Wain – originally titled Landscape: Noon – is a painting by John Constable, completed in 1821, which depicts a rural scene on the River Stour between the English counties of Suffolk and Essex.