John Constable Oil Painting Reproductions

From the River Stour to the Paris Salon

John Constable was born in East Bergholt, Suffolk, in 1776. ¹ He did not set out to paint grand, idealized myths. Instead, he wanted to capture the damp air, the shifting clouds, and the working life of the English countryside. In 1799, Constable entered the Royal Academy Schools as a probationer. ¹ By 1803, he began exhibiting paintings at the Royal Academy, starting a long and often difficult relationship with the British art establishment. ¹

While his home country was slow to recognize his genius, Constable's work was highly embraced in France, where he sold more paintings than in England. ¹ His deep observation of nature helped define the Romanticism style of landscape painting. He was finally elected to the Royal Academy of Arts at the age of 52, late in his working life. ¹ Today, his vision of the English landscape remains some of the most beloved art ever created.

The Story of John Constable and The Hay Wain

If you are deciding which canvas to hang on your wall, this store's reproduction of The Hay Wain is the natural place to start. Completed in 1821, this masterpiece depicts a quiet, rural scene on the River Stour. ² It is a painting of deep personal memory, capturing the gentle movement of water and the towering trees of his childhood home.

Yet, the painting was not an immediate success. It failed to find a buyer when it was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1821. ² Its true breakthrough came across the English Channel. The painting was awarded a gold medal by Charles X of France at the Paris Salon of 1824, where it stunned French painters with its fresh, broken brushstrokes. ¹ Decades later, Henry Vaughan donated the masterpiece to the National Gallery in London in 1886, securing its place in British history. ¹

Salisbury Cathedral and the Great Six-Footers

Constable was famous for his "six-footers," massive canvases that gave the English landscape the scale and dignity usually reserved for historical scenes. In 1811, Constable first visited Salisbury, which inspired some of his greatest paintings. ¹ He returned to this subject often, painting the cathedral spire rising against dramatic, storm-swept skies.

For a wall that needs a sense of drama and light, you might choose Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows, which is currently held at Tate Britain in London. ¹ If you prefer a more intimate scene, Constable included the Bishop of Salisbury and his wife in the painting Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds. ¹ The 1825 version of this peaceful view is now in the Frick Collection in New York City. ¹

Choosing Your Constable Canvas for Your Wall

Our collection of 82 works allows you to bring these historic landscapes into your home. Every piece is hand-painted in oil on canvas by a studio artist, capturing the texture and movement of the original brushstrokes.

To find the perfect fit for your room, consider where the light falls. A bright, open space is perfect for the dramatic clouds of Study for The Leaping Horse or the quiet beauty of this store's reproduction of Traveller. If you have a more formal room, the rich tones of this store's reproduction of Cenotaph to the Memory of Sir Joshua Reynolds offer a beautiful, contemplative focal point.

Prices in this collection run from $249.95, depending on the size you choose. Seven sizes are listed for each work, but you can order any custom size, including the original's exact proportions, through our bespoke canvas options page.

Sources

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. en.wikipedia.org