An exhibition of art by one of Britain’s most celebrated painters hopes to offer a fresh perspective on his work, according to organisers.
John Constable: Celebrating 250 Years, at The Minories in Colchester, brings together a selection of works with links to the local area.
The artist, who was born 250 years ago, had close ties to north Essex and the Stour Valley, where he developed the landscapes that would define his career.
“Colchester has a strong connection to Constable,” said Darius Laws, the city council’s portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the environment.
“This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore that connection and see a different side to the country’s greatest landscape painter,” said Laws.
The artist frequently visited his second cousin, Jane Anne Mason, who lived in Colchester, and sketched the famous Roman walls numerous times.
She became godmother to his youngest child, Lionel, in 1828, and when her daughter Jane Anne Inglis showed an interest in art, she benefited from Constable’s guidance and access to his art collection.