WHAT? Discover Constable and The Hay Wain

WHERE? The National Gallery, Sunley Room, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

WHEN? Now until 2nd February 2025.  Free to view

WHY GO? To delve deep into a masterpiece.  Almost as famous as the Mona Lisa, Constable’s The Hay Wain is embedded into the psyche of every art lover, but what do we really know about this iconic painting that has emblazoned biscuit tins and tea trays for decades?  

Now, as part of the National Gallery’s Discovery programme, we can hoover up every last detail and fun fact.

This series of mini exhibitions investigates the context of famous paintings for more serious art buffs and The Hay Wain is as famous as it gets.

Set in Suffolk near Flatford Mills which were owned by his wealthy father, Constable painted The Hay Wain over a period of five months in his studio with a view to exhibiting it at The Royal Academy’s annual exhibition in 1821 under the original title of Landscape: Noon. It was initially considered ‘radical’ and the brushwork, ‘a little too spotty’ by English critics.  

Landscapes were less fashionable at a time when patriotic historic scenes were being rapturously received. Surprisingly the French were more appreciative and Constable received a gold medal from the French King Charles X when The Hay Wain was shown at the Paris Salon in 1824. 

For such a quintessential English landscape, it’s intriguing to learn that Constable had more success as an artist in France than he did in his beloved England.

All this and more is revealed in this intimate exhibition of sketches and paintings by Constable and contemporary artists he admired in his day. 

IN THE KNOW For more about Constable’s other works, expert arts guide Emma Matthews heads up a series of gallery tours following through from The Hay Wain exhibition and will discuss how his work has influenced countless other British artists.

Check the website for full details.