Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree
Oil Painting
ca. 1821 (painted)
ca. 1821 (painted)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Constable probably painted this remarkable sketch in Hampstead. It is so realistic that it has an almost photographic quality. The artist's friend and biographer C. R. Leslie recalled: 'I have seen him admire a fine tree with an ecstasy of delight like that with which he would catch up a beautiful child in his arms'.
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Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | Oil on paper |
Brief description | Oil painting, 'Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree', John Constable, ca. 1821 |
Physical description | Study of an elm tree trunk with a forest scene behind. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Marks and inscriptions | 'JC' (Inscribed in monogram in ink on back) |
Gallery label |
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Credit line | Given by Isabel Constable |
Object history | Given by Isabel Constable, 1888 |
Historical context | The chief of Constable's four exhibits in 1821 was 'Landscape: Noon' ('The Hay Wain') (National Gallery No. 1207; for the full-scale sketch see No. 209 [987-1900] in this Catalogue). His third child, Charles Golding Constable, was born on 29 March. He accompanied Archdeacon John Fisher on his visitation of Berkshire in June, took No. 2 Lower Terrace, Hampstead, for his family during the summer and autumn and paid a visit to Fisher at Salisbury in November. [G Reynolds, 1973, p. 135] |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Constable probably painted this remarkable sketch in Hampstead. It is so realistic that it has an almost photographic quality. The artist's friend and biographer C. R. Leslie recalled: 'I have seen him admire a fine tree with an ecstasy of delight like that with which he would catch up a beautiful child in his arms'. |
Bibliographic references |
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Other number | 235, plate 179 - Reynolds catalogue no. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 786-1888 |
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Record created | December 15, 1999 |
Record URL |
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