We’ve selected a few key objects from our collections for you to explore. These are the highlights of the National Gallery of Scotland.
John Constable
The Vale of Dedham1828On Display | NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND
Constable's dramatic landscape leads your eye across the Suffolk countryside, along the winding River Stour, to Dedham village and the estuary beyond. This view from Gun Hill looking towards Dedham church, near his father's watermill, was a favourite subject and also features in a smaller painting of 1802 (Victoria and Albert Museum). The composition, with prominent foreground trees, was partially inspired by Claude's 'Hagar and the Angel' (National Gallery, London). The cloudy sky and details are, however, based on Constable's close observation of nature. He applied paint thickly with touches of white to enhance the effect of shimmering light. This painting prompted his election to the Royal Academy in 1829.
Glossary [2] Show
Composition
The arrangement of different elements in a work of art.
Royal Academy
An independent institution founded in 1768 with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first president. It is governed by the Royal Academicians - leading painters, sculptors, printmakers and architects, which number no more than 80 at one time. It organises exhibitions at its London galleries, including an annual Summer Exhibition.
- Accession no. NG 2016
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 122.00 x 144.50 cm (framed: 163.20 x 184.80 x 14.00 cm)
- Credit Purchased with the aid of The Art Fund 1944
John Constable (English, 1776 - 1837)
Constable introduced a new and refreshing naturalism into British nineteenth-century landscape painting. He concentrated on depicting the Suffolk countryside around his birthplace, although also painted in Salisbury and Hampstead. Constable never travelled abroad. His compositions and interest in light effects were influenced by Claude Lorrain's classical landscapes, but he rejected the mellow tones and smooth finish of 'old masters', favouring broken, richly textures brushwork. Constable observed nature intently, studying its ever-changing appearances through pencil drawings and vigorous oil sketches. He eventually received official recognition as a full member of the Royal Academy in 1829.
Glossary [5] Show
Classical landscape
A tradition of landscape painting with its origins in ancient Roman art and revived in the 17th century by artists such as Nicholas Poussin. It usually includes a variety of natural forms, some buildings or other man-made structures, and human figures or animals. The positioning of each element is calculated to create harmony and balance.
Naturalism
Art based on the observation of objects rather than on theoretical or stylistic concerns.
Oil sketch
A rough drawing in oil paint, possibly the preliminary version of a painting. In the in the 18th and 19th centuries it is particularly associated with landscape sketches which were executed quickly outdoors and not intended for public display.
Old Master
Term used to denote painters from the Renaissance until 1800, or their works.
Royal Academy
An independent institution founded in 1768 with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first president. It is governed by the Royal Academicians - leading painters, sculptors, printmakers and architects, which number no more than 80 at one time. It organises exhibitions at its London galleries, including an annual Summer Exhibition.