The Hay Wain, Constable and the English countryside

Summary

In the National Gallery, London, Steven and Beth discuss John Constable's 'The Hay Wain,' a radical 1821 landscape painting. Constable's ambitious work challenges traditional art norms, focusing on a mundane scene from his rural upbringing. The painting, with its detailed sky and lack of idealization, reflects the artist's personal connection to nature and the countryside, subtly addressing the economic stresses of the early Industrial Revolution.

Takeaways

• 🖼️ The painting 'The Hay Wain' by John Constable is a six-footer, meaning it is six feet wide, which was an unusual size for landscape paintings in the early 19th century.
• 🗓️ The painting was created in 1821 and originally titled 'Landscape Noon', but is now universally known as 'The Hay Wain'.
• 🌳 Landscape painting was considered a lowly subject by the Royal Academy in London, often depicted on smaller canvases compared to more important subjects like history or religious themes.
• 🏞️ Constable's choice of subject and scale for 'The Hay Wain' was ambitious, depicting a mundane scene from his childhood along the Stour River.
• 🏭 The painting was created during the early Industrial Revolution, a time of economic stress and unemployment, but these issues are not depicted in the painting.
• 🌅 Constable refused to idealize the landscape, instead opting for a more realistic portrayal, which was a departure from the classical and beautiful landscapes expected by the Academy.
• 🎨 The painting shows Constable's influence from Dutch artists like Ruisdael, particularly in the large portion of the canvas dedicated to the sky and the specificity of capturing a time of day.
• 🌬️ Constable had studied meteorology, which is reflected in the detailed depiction of the sky and weather in his paintings.
• 🖌️ The painting has a rough surface, intentionally created by Constable to capture the variety of textures in nature, which was a departure from the smooth finishes preferred by the Academy.
• 🏙️ Despite being a personal and emotional expression of Constable's connection to the landscape, 'The Hay Wain' also reflects a broader historical context, highlighting the changing relationship between people and nature due to industrialization and urban growth.

Q & A

Where is the painting 'The Hay Wain' located?

The painting 'The Hay Wain' is located in the National Gallery in London.

What is the significance of the term 'six-footers' in the context of John Constable's paintings?

The term 'six-footers' refers to a series of paintings by John Constable that are six feet wide, which was an unusual size for landscape paintings in the early 19th century.

What was the original title of the painting now known as 'The Hay Wain'?

The original title of the painting was 'Landscape Noon'.

Why was landscape painting considered a lowly subject in the early 19th century?

Landscape painting was considered a lowly subject because it involved painting something that was right in front of you, similar to painting a portrait, and was not as prestigious as history or religious subjects.

What was the historical context of the painting 'The Hay Wain'?

The painting 'The Hay Wain' was created during the early Industrial Revolution, a time of severe economic stresses, unemployment, and poverty, although these aspects are not depicted in the painting.

What is the significance of the painting's setting in relation to Constable's personal life?

The painting depicts a view of the Stour River, where Constable grew up, making it a deeply personal and familiar landscape to him.

How does Constable's painting style in 'The Hay Wain' differ from the prevailing traditions of the Royal Academy?

Constable's painting style in 'The Hay Wain' is more rough and textured, deliberately capturing the variety of nature, which contrasts with the smooth, finished look preferred by the Royal Academy.

What is the significance of the sky in Constable's painting?

The sky occupies a significant portion of the canvas, reflecting Constable's interest in meteorology and his study of Dutch painting, which emphasized capturing the time of day.

What is the political undercurrent in 'The Hay Wain'?

The painting subtly reflects the social and economic changes of the early Industrial Revolution, although it does not directly depict the poverty or unemployment of the time.

How does Constable's painting 'The Hay Wain' embody the Romantic style?

The painting embodies the Romantic style through its personal and emotional expression, focusing on Constable's intimate connection with the landscape and his rejection of idealization.

What was Constable's approach to painting as described in his quote about his love for certain scenes?

Constable's approach to painting was deeply personal and emotional, as he expressed his love for specific scenes and elements of nature, stating that painting was another word for feeling for him.