Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, A preview of The Hay Wain was given to pupils and the media on Friday
ByAlex Dunlop, at Christchurch Mansion and Alice Cunningham, Suffolk- Published1 hour ago
For the first time ever, John Constable's Hay Wain painting has arrived in Suffolk to mark the 250th anniversary of the artist's birth.
The oil painting created in 1821 has been exhibited at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, on loan to Colchester and Ipswich Museums from the National Gallery in London.
The famous work depicts a rural scene near the River Stour in Flatford, but it was actually painted in Constable's London studio.
It is on display until October and exhibition curator, Emma Roodhouse, said she had a "mini cry" when the painting was finally placed on the wall.
Image source, The National GalleryImage caption, The Hay Wain is being exhibited in Suffolk for the first time since it was painted in 1821
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, John Constable, shown in a self portrait from about 1800, gained recognition after his death
Constable was born in 1776 in East Bergholt and pursued his passion for art in 1799.
During his career he produced many paintings of the Suffolk countryside and around the River Stour, which helped give the area the name, Constable Country.
Despite his many works, he struggled with recognition and sold very few pieces due to his scenic paintings not being considered fashionable at the time.
He died in 1837 in London aged 60.
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, The Hay Wain presented in Christchurch Mansion
The Hay Wain sits on a 6ft-wide canvas and depicts a scene at Flatford with a horse and cart in the river and Willy Lott's Cottage on the bank.
Roodhouse said the exhibition had been years in the planning.
"When the anniversary loomed on the horizon to celebrate 250 years of John Constable's birth, I thought it was only right to be able to put exhibitions and events together," she said.
Image source, Matt Marvel/BBCImage caption, Constable's The Hay Wain depicts this area of Flatford, Suffolk
The Hay Wain exhibition is the second of three to celebrate the artist.
The first ran from March to June and introduced visitors to the people who inspired and supported him.
The third, after this current one with The Hay Wain, runs from October to February and looks at the artist's relevance today.
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, Emma Roodhouse said the exhibition had been years in the making
But Roodhouse said people had been "amazed" by the fact The Hay Wain had not been in Suffolk before.
"I did have a mini cry after it was safely on the wall out of relief and joy," she continued.
"The team that helped us install it were really overjoyed.
"I think it just brings this exhibition together with the sort of earlier pictures that show how Constable progressed as an artist.
"[It was] really radical painting outdoor scenes that were fresh to a lot of people and being able to bring it here to Suffolk is a real once in a lifetime [experience]."
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, Carole Jones from Ipswich Borough Council said she was "thrilled" by the exhibition
Carole Jones, a Labour councillor in charge of museums at Ipswich Borough Council, said the "magic" of the exhibition was the very fact The Hay Wain had not been in Suffolk before.
"When I walked through the door and saw, at the end of the gallery, The Hay Wain there and the rest of this wonderful exhibition, I was thrilled," she said.
She added that it was important to fund things like this for "people to have pride in the place they live in".
She hoped people from far and wide would visit to see Constable's work.
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, Peter Harrap described the exhibition like a "handshake across time"
Peter Harrap is an artist and the curatorial advisor for the exhibition.
"I love the way that you can just learn from him, interact and just have this personal encounter in the way that you can move through the landscape in exactly the same way," he said of Constable.
"So it becomes a handshake across time."
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, Adwoa, 11, and Ella, 10, were some of the first to see The Hay Wain
Adwoa, 11, and Ella, 10, are both in year six at St Margeret's Primary School in Ipswich and were given a preview of the painting on Friday.
"I think it's amazing because it has so many details and it must have taken a lot of hard work to make it that big and remember every detail of it to paint it all," Adwoa said.
"It's very inspirational... I haven't seen a famous picture in real life before.
"You see it online on your phone, but if you see it in real life, it's more amazing than online."
Ella added: "Looking at all these pieces of art makes me more inspired to do more creative paintings like this at home.
"It's really fascinating to see how detailed it is in person."
Image source, Qays Najm/BBCImage caption, Millie, 11, & Benny, 11, described The Hay Wain as "fascinating"
Millie, 11, and Benny, 11, from the same school also saw the painting.
"I thought it was really interesting because just the fact that it got so popular over the years is really fascinating," Benny said.
He added: "It would have been really cool for him to see that it got famous.
"I think he would actually be really proud of himself and I think his family should be proud of him as well."
Meanwhile Millie said: "It's really fascinating and it's really detailed.
"I've seen a small painting of it, but I've never seen it anywhere else."
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