Artwork

Cows grazing, Salisbury

Cows grazing, Salisbury, by John Constable, watercolor, 13
Cows grazing, Salisbury, by John Constable, watercolor, 13

Cows grazing, Salisbury is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist John Constable. It dates from 13 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Cows grazing, Salisbury is a watercolour painting from 1829, depicting a serene pastoral scene with cows, trees, a pond, and distant human figures in a rural English setting.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on the tranquil interaction between grazing cows and their natural surroundings, emphasizing the peacefulness of rural life. The presence of distant figures and a horse subtly integrates human activity into the landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, loose strokes, the work prioritizes capturing light and movement over detailed rendering. Soft, undefined shapes dominate, drawing attention to the central cows and the reflective pond.

History & Provenance

Created in 1829, the same year John Constable was elected a Royal Academician, this piece aligns with his landscape studies, potentially inspired by visits to Salisbury that year, contributing to his *English Landscape Scenery* series preparations.

Context

This watercolour reflects Constable's broader exploration of English rural scenery, characterized by an emphasis on natural light and the everyday beauty of countryside life.

Legacy

Comparing this work with Constable's other nature paintings (see adjacent entry) highlights variations in his approach to capturing the English landscape.

Artist & collection

Portrait of John Constable

Artist

John Constable

John Constable (; 11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition.