Artwork
Jaques and the Wounded Stag
Jaques and the Wounded Stag is a print by John Constable. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jaques and the Wounded Stag is a mezzotint print from John Constable's seminal series, English Landscape, comprising 22 landscapes published between 1830 and 1832. The work depicts a serene natural scene of a kneeling figure tending to a wounded stag.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures an intimate, poignant moment in nature, emphasizing the emotional connection between the human figure, the injured animal, and the surrounding landscape, underscored by the interplay of light and shadow.
Technique & Style
Executed by David Lucas under Constable's supervision, the mezzotint showcases soft shadows and gentle light, reflecting Constable's adherence to the principle of chiaroscuro, influenced by Claude Lorrain and J.M.W. Turner.
History & Provenance
Part of the original 1830-1832 publication, this print was later revised in the 1833 second edition. After Constable's death in 1837, the plates underwent subsequent reprints and completions by Lucas.
Context
English Landscape was Constable's late-career endeavor to promote English scenery and validate his artistic vision, drawing on personal and historically significant subjects to demonstrate nature's dynamic lighting effects.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Constable (; 11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition.
