Page 14 - constable.pages copy

Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid John Constable

Wivenhoe Park, Essex

1816
oil on canvas
56.1 x 101.2 cm
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

KEY TOPICS:

• In this piece we see another landscape scene. In the foreground left, cows are grazing in a green pasture with a

fence leading down to the water just before them. Behind them is a small donkey cart with the tiny figure of a
girl — the landowners’ daughter — at the reins. In the middle and bottom right of the piece is a large body of

water with swans and other water fowl floating on its surface as well as a small boat to the right with two figures
in it pulling in a fishing net. Beyond the water is another small hill with trees and lawns leading up to a country

house in the middle distance and a deer house (a building where deer were cared for and possibly sheltered) in
the far right distance. Beyond the cows is a small bridge that also serves as a dam and more water leading to a

grotto with trees surrounding it. The top half of the image is taken up by a blue sky filled with cumulus clouds. 2,5

• The painting was originally narrower, but Constable, wanting to create the feeling of a wider angle of view,
added two strips of canvas to either side. The left seam runs through the black cow in the lower-left of the piece

and the other seam goes through the two men in the fishing boat on the right side of the piece.
5
• The piece was one of two commissioned by the land owners, General and Mrs. Rebow. At the time of the

painting, Constable was courting Maria Bicknell but due to various circumstances (the disapproval of her father
and the death of his parents leaving him with a very small inheritance), their marriage was perpetually delayed.

The Rebows learned of these circumstances and wanted to offer Constable and Bicknell some “ready money” so

,
they could finally get married. 45
• Constable wrote to Miss. Bicknell on August 21, 1816 about this piece:

“I returned from my very pleasant visit at General Rebow's on Monday… The general and Mrs
Rebow are determined to be of some service to me. I am going there again, and shall stay a
week, in all probability…. I am to paint two small landscapes for the general; one in the park,

ahumbleplace.com ❦ Page of 14 24