The two full scale oil painting studies by Constable
exhibited at the V&A are remarkable by their size and
execution. The important word here is “and”, because we are used to small field
or studio studies executed with broad strokes, but I did not expect so much
freedom and force in studies of this size.
These studies, in particular the one for the Leaping Horse,
feel like Constable was pouring all his creative energy onto the canvas because
he knew the Royal Academy would expect more finished and polished works.
Look at the brushwork for the tree in front of the house. The
treatment reminds me of some of Monet’s paintings — but this is 1821. The main
difference with later Impressionist works is that Constable’s palette is still
fairly conventional with brown, grey and green colours.
The Leaping Horse (full-scale study) Oil on canvas by John
Constable - Height: 129.4 cm, Width: 188.0 cm, Height: 155 cm [V&Acollection]
The Leaping Horse (full-scale study) – detail
The Leaping Horse (full-scale study) – detail
The final painting for The Leaping Horse is in the collection
of the Royal Academy in London.
The Leaping Horse Oil on canvas, 1420 mm X 1873 mm by John
Constable (Royal Academy)
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain - Oil on canvas by John
Constable
Height: 137 cm estimate, Width: 188 cm estimate. [V&Acollection]
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain – detail
The Hay Wain was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1821 and is
now in the National Gallery.
The Hay Wain - Oil on canvas (130.2 × 185.4 cm) by John
Constable [Source: Wikimedia]
Related resources
- John Constable on painting from nature
- Masterpiece of the Month: Dulwich Picture Gallery: JohnConstable's "Leaping Horse' By Richard Dorment in The Telegraph
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