Constable and the political landscape
About
Constable’s 'The Hay Wain' is the most famous celebration of the English landscape on canvas, yet this calm vision of the Suffolk landscape purposely ignored the modern factories, steam power, and railways depicted by Constable's contemporary JMW Turner. Does this evocation of time and place therefore make political or even patriotic claims?
In the same year as 'The Hay Wain' (1821) Napoleon died on the island of St Helena. The ramifications of the Napoleonic wars, economic depression, and ultimate victory were closely tied with British feeling about its own place, land, and art, even the founding of the National Gallery in 1824.
Moreover, ascendant taste around classicism was splintered by Constable's 'broken brushwork' which sought to combine his 'truth' with feeling and mood. How can an artist straddle both tradition and innovation? Peace and war? Landscape and industry? Politics and identity?
Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Christine Riding, Director of Collections and Research, with members of our Articulation alumni, to discuss Constable’s approaches to the British landscape.
Speakers
Christine Riding Director of Collections and Research at the National Gallery. Before joining the Gallery, she was Head of Arts and Curator of the Queen's House at Royal Museums Greenwich (2011–18), where she curated the 'Turner and the Sea' exhibition (2013). From 1999 to 2011, she was Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century British Art at Tate.
Articulation is our public speaking initiative for young people designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of visual culture.
Friday Lates gallery talk
Constable and the political landscape
Free
Although this event does not require booking, we encourage you to book a free Gallery entry ticket to gain admission to the National Gallery and save time on arrival.
Please note, Gallery entry does not guarantee admission to this event. Places are available on a first come, first served basis.