Becoming an apprentice to Constable

Author: Yang Yuying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Apprenticeship Constable was born in the picturesque Suffolk, where he loved nature and possessed keen observation skills. He was particularly sensitive to the effects of light and shadow, enjoying lush green meadows, the tranquility of midday, the mist of dusk, and the dew of morning. Therefore, in his paintings, he remained true to the expression of his emotions, viewing it as the highest realm. His works appear clear and understandable, bringing joy without losing simplicity. His painting subjects were very simple, depicting everyday things he often saw, such as windy clear skies, lush riverbank meadows, ever-changing light, and mills, farmhouses, carriages, etc. He always preferred to paint landscapes with people and carefully arranged scenery, such as The Stratford Mill. The Mill at Flavell, created in 1917,，。All the details were depicted with a poetic touch: a few rural cottages, two or three shepherd boys, a clear and sparkling stream with shimmering light and shadows, and a ferry boat, all filled with sunlight and earthy charm. His delicate brushstrokes and elegant, serene scenes perfectly capture the essence of poetry. Another example is his famous masterpiece, The Hay Wain, which depicts a hay cart crossing a small stream and heading into the depths of the woods. The leaves glistening with dew and the white light, the wooden fences surrounding the farmhouses, all exude a sense of warmth and simplicity. Constable challenged the lifeless academic classicalism with this emotional, fresh, and natural style. In his painting The Opening Ceremony of the Waterloo Bridge, created in 1831, he boldly used vivid colors to capture the effects of light and shadow, which is considered to have had an important influence on Impressionist painting.