Constable oil painting to go on display at museum

An oil painting by one of Britain's renowned landscape artists is to go on public display in the city that inspired it.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sulffolk-born artist John Constable, A View of Salisbury from Harnham will go on display at Salisbury Museum from June.

The painting depicts Salisbury Cathedral, the River Avon and the surrounding water meadows, viewed from due south at the eastern end of Harnham ridge.

Adrian Green, Director of The Salisbury Museum, said: "We are delighted to be able to present this painting within the very landscape that inspired it."

"Constable's deep personal connection to Salisbury makes this an especially meaningful loan for the Museum," he added.

Dating back to the early 1820s, the painting was inspired by Constable's multiple trips to the area during this time, including stays with the Bishop of Salisbury and his close friend, the bishop's nephew John Fisher.

The painting, which has been owned by the same family for more than 60 years and will be on loan to the museum until 2030, will be displayed alongside a drawing of Constable and engravings of his work by David Lucas.

The work has been the subject of detailed research by art historian and author Timothy Wilcox, who will give public talks at the site on 11 June.

Born in 1776 in East Bergholt, Suffolk, Constable is best known for his depiction of the English countryside.

Constable died in London in 1837.

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