Light and Shadow: John Constable’s English Landscapes in Print
Overview
-
September 27, 2024–March 16, 2025
-
European Art Galleries, Level 2, Gallery S202
-
Free for Members
-
Included with admission
The renowned 19th-century landscape painter John Constable (English, 1776–1837) once struggled to find steady success, so he set out to defend landscape as a significant subject matter. To do so, Constable produced—with printmaker David Lucas (English, 1802–1881)—a series of mezzotint prints based on some of his oil sketches, watercolors, and drawings. The prints depict the English countryside he knew so well and demonstrate the “chiaroscuro of nature” through various dark and light tones.
The 22 mezzotint prints were published as Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A. The first edition was released between 1830 and 1832, and the second edition was released in 1833. Light and Shadow displays the Museum’s complete set from the initial publication.
Additional artworks
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), Hadleigh Castle, Near the Nore (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed and published 1832.
Mezzotint. Image: 6 × 9 in. (15.24 × 22.86 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.20
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), A Lock on the Stour, Suffolk (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed 1831, published 1831–32.
Mezzotint. Image: 5 11/16 × 7 1/16 in. (14.45 × 17.94 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.13
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), Spring (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed 1830, published 1830–32.
Mezzotint. Image: 5 × 9 5/8 in. (12.7 × 24.45 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.3
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), A Dell, Helmingham Park, Suffolk (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed 1830, published 1830–32.
Mezzotint. Image: 53/4 × 7 1/4 in. (14.61 × 18.42 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.1
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), A Seabeach (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed 1830, published 1830–32.
Mezzotint. Image: 5 1/2 × 8 5/8 in. (13.97 × 21.91 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.7
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), engraved by David Lucas (English, 1802–1881), Yarmouth, Norfolk (detail), from Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery, from Pictures Painted by John Constable R.A., printed and published 1832.
Mezzotint. Image: 5 1/2 × 8 11/16 in. (13.97 × 22.07 cm). Purchase, Erich C. Stern Fund, in memory of Lucia K. Stern, and the Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, M1997.53.22
