Constable in Brighton explored in new exhibition

A new exhibition will explore Constable's pivotal time in Brighton. The show will run at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery from April 8-October 8.
J Constable, Rainstorm over the Sea 1824-28, c.Royal Academy of Arts,Ldn  Photo John HammondJ Constable, Rainstorm over the Sea 1824-28, c.Royal Academy of Arts,Ldn  Photo John Hammond
J Constable, Rainstorm over the Sea 1824-28, c.Royal Academy of Arts,Ldn Photo John Hammond

Spokeswoman Jo Nightingale said: “The exhibition will explore John Constable’s time in the fashionable seaside resort, where he stayed with his family between 1824 and 1828.

“Constable’s wife Maria suffered from tuberculosis, and on medical advice the couple and their children took lodgings in Brighton for extended periods.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Despite this, after four years, Maria sadly died at the age of 41.

“Working between Brighton and London, Constable produced around 150 works in the town. Some were commissions, created in his ‘painting room’ and usually destined for the French market, but his long, systematic walks in and around Brighton also prompted many other works.

“Constable in Brighton will bring together over 60 of the artist’s sketches, drawings and paintings from his time in Brighton for the first time, in the place where they were created.

“Focusing on his family life and walks, it will explore the impact and influence of the work he made here, as well as the working practices he developed and the locations and people who inspired him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Uniquely, the display will follow Constable’s own walking and painting sequences, illustrating the series of paintings he produced as he explored the Brighton landscape.” Highlights will include:

· Chain Pier, Brighton (1826–7, Tate), a fine oil painting featuring the early Brighton landmark which was swept away in 1896, in its first exhibition in the city for 20 years.

· Rainstorm over the Sea (c 1824-28, Royal Academy of Arts), a passionate, early impressionistic oil sketch seemingly influenced by Maria’s illness.

· A Windmill near Brighton (1824, Tate), a jewel-like pastoral scene of a sun-drenched windmill typical of the Sussex countryside in Constable’s time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

· The artist’s painting box, and his children’s toy stagecoach.

· The gold medal Constable won for his celebrated painting The Hay Wain, when it was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1824 (having been shown at the Royal Academy in 1821).

Constable in Brighton will be curated by Brighton artist Peter Harrap, in consultation with Constable expert Anne Lyles (formerly of Tate) and with support from researcher Shan Lancaster. Peter’s interest in Constable burgeoned when he moved to Brighton, and discovered he was living in the property where Constable lodged.

Peter said: “I’ve long been interested in Constable, but discovering that he was based in the house where I now live has led me to specialise in researching his life and work.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you'll be amongst the first to know what's going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on 'sign in' (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don't miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: