John Constable, R.A. (1776-1837)

Near Hursley, Hampshire, with a view of the Isle of Wight in the distance

Details

John Constable, R.A. (1776-1837)
Near Hursley, Hampshire, with a view of the Isle of Wight in the distance
dated '1804' (upper right), signed and numbered 'No 6/J.Constable' (on the reverse)
pencil, black chalk and watercolour, heightened with touches of bodycolour on oatmeal paper
5.5/8 x 8 in. (14.3 x 20.3 cm.)

Provenance

Eustace Constable; Christie's London, 16 April 1896, lot 33, (£1.6.0 to Isaac).
Sotheby's London, 11 April 1991, lot 80, illustrated (£8,000).

Literature

G. Reynolds, The Early Paintings and Drawings of John Constable, New Haven and London, 1996, p. 56, no. 04.6, pl. 235.

Exhibited

Sudbury, Gainsborough's House, From Gainsborough to Constable, 1991, no. 68.

Lot Essay

One of the few drawings by Constable datable to 1804, this is one of three showing Hursley (Reynolds, loc.cit, nos. 04.5 - 7, the last being untraced). Constable probably stayed with Sir William Heathcote at Hursley House, as the result of an introduction from the pastellist Daniel Gardner (1750-1805); Constable was later to have connections with the related Dysart family and with Sir William's cousin Sir Gilbert Heathcote.
It has been suggested that the present watercolour probably shows the view south from an upper window of Hursley Park. The Isle of Wight can be seen in the distance.
A similar watercolour of Hursley, also dated 1804, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum; see Reynolds, op.cit., 1996, p. 56, no. 04.5, pl. 234.

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