Constable legacy to be honoured in three exhibitions

2 hours ago

George KingSuffolk

News image — The three exhibitions will feature a range of John Constable's paintings, including Golding Constable's Kitchen Garden, which depicts his father's kitchen garden

Ipswich Museums An oil painting by John Constable of a countryside. There are multiple green fields on the left of the painting, with houses and trees to the right. — The three exhibitions will feature a range of John Constable's paintings, including Golding Constable's Kitchen Garden, which depicts his father's kitchen garden

The first of three exhibitions celebrating the life and work of the landscape painter John Constable will open in the county that shaped his legacy.

Constable 250 will showcase work by the Suffolk-born artist and feature rare family portraits as well as some of his early paintings.

Three commemorative events will take place at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, starting on 28 March, to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth in East Bergholt in 1776.

Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for planning and museums, said the anniversary year "not only celebrates Constable's genius, but also the friends, family, landscapes and communities that shaped his story".

She added: "Ipswich is incredibly proud to host what will be unrivalled displays and events."

The National Gallery The oil painting depicts an idyllic scene in Flatford, near Dedham, and shows a horse and cart in the River Stour and Willy Lott's cottage on the bank. — Constable's most famous work, The Hay Wain, will be put on display in his native Suffolk for the first time since it was painted in 1821

The first exhibition, Constable: A Cast of Characters, will run from 28 March to 14 June and bring together more than 100 artworks and personal objects.

The pieces will offer an intimate insight into the artist's life behind the canvas, with many items being displayed together for the first time.

Fans of Constable, who died aged 60 in 1837, can expect to view personal keepsakes, such as Maria Constable's wedding ring and Constable's paint box.

The venue will also be transformed to evoke Regency-era Ipswich, using authentic costumes and Napoleonic uniforms, together with Lord Nelson memorabilia.

Ipswich Borough Council Christchurch Mansion is in the middle with a stretch of grass in front of it. The building is made of red bricks, and has multiple windows that are painted white. A group of people are standing outside the entrance which is in the middle. — Christchurch Mansion will be transformed for the three exhibitions to provide visitors with a more immersive experience

The showcase will even include a recreation of the Constable family parlour and photographic re-enactments designed to create an immersive experience.

"This is the first time such a significant collection of Constable-related works will be brought together in his home county," added Jones.

The exhibition will be led by Colchester and Ipswich Museums (CIMS), which is jointly run by Colchester City Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

It will be made up of pieces from CIMS collections and the Government Art Collection as well as several private lenders.

'World-class art'

One of the highlights of the exhibitions will be Constable's The Hay Wain, which will be making its first ever visit to the county it depicts.

Dedham Vale and Golding Constable's Kitchen Garden will also be displayed.

"We're bringing world-class art home to Suffolk and inviting everyone to step into the places, the people and the ideas that shaped John Constable," said Jones.

Constable's Hay Wain to make Suffolk debut

The second exhibition Constable: Walking the Landscape, will take place from 11 July, while the final display, Constable to Contemporary, will be opened on 24 October.

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