The Cotman Collection | Constable, John, British, 1776 - 1837

John Constable

British, 1776 - 1837


Born in Suffolk, Constable was employed in the family milling business prior to attending the Royal Academy Schools in 1799. He made a number of sketching tours including visits to Derbyshire in 1801 and the Lakes in 1806, but unlike most of his contemporaries never travelled abroad. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1819, becoming a full member in 1829. Through an early patron and friend, Sir George Beaumont, he was introduced to the work of Claude and Girtin. He also studied the landscape methods of Alexander Cozens. Constable published examples of his landscapes in a series of mezzotints by David Lucas, 'Various Subjects of Landscape' issued from 1830-33.