Who painted A barge on the Stour?

A barge on the Stour was painted by John Constable in 1832.

Where can I see A barge on the Stour?

A barge on the Stour is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is A barge on the Stour?

A barge on the Stour is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A barge on the Stour

John Constable , 1832

A barge on the Stour is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist John Constable. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

A working waterway in his father’s coal trade, the Stour often showed up in his art.

John Constable painted *A Barge on the Stour* around 1832. A working waterway in his father’s coal trade, the Stour often showed up in his art. This watercolor shows a horse pulling a barge—practical, not fancy.

The colors are rich and the watercolor moves freely. He added white highlights for light on the water. It comes from a sketchbook page he used that year.

See more sketches by Constable at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

A Barge on the Stour is a watercolour painting by John Constable, created around 1832. It is part of a sketchbook page from that year.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a working waterway scene on the River Stour, significant to Constable's family due to its role in his father's coal trading business. A horse is shown pulling a barge, illustrating the river's practical use.

Technique & Style

The watercolour is characterised by rich colours and a free handling of the medium. Highlights are achieved through the addition of touches of white, creating a sense of light on the water.