Artwork
NOON
NOON is a print by John Constable. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This mezzotint, titled “Noon,” belongs to the influential series English Landscape, a collection of 22 prints issued between 1830 and 1832.
This mezzotint, titled “Noon,” belongs to the influential series English Landscape, a collection of 22 prints issued between 1830 and 1832. The series was conceived by John Constable near the end of his life and executed in mezzotint by the engraver David Lucas. The prints were intended to reproduce Constable’s oil sketches, finished paintings, and a few watercolours and drawings, presenting a broad view of English scenery.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a tranquil midday scene, emphasizing the subtle play of light and shadow that Constable regarded as the essential character of landscape. By selecting a moment of high sun, the work illustrates his belief that chiaroscuro reveals the natural order and emotional resonance of the English countryside.
Technique & Style
David Lucas employed the mezzotint process, a tonal engraving method that allows for rich gradations of dark and light. This technique suited Constable’s aim to convey atmospheric effects, echoing the compositional approaches of earlier landscape masters such as Claude Lorrain and J.M.W. Turner while retaining a distinctly English sensibility.
History & Provenance
The original plates were prepared under Constable’s supervision and first published in the early 1830s. A second edition appeared in 1833, and after Constable’s death in 1837, additional reprints and new plates were issued by Lucas, who completed unfinished plates and added fresh subjects to the series.
Context
English Landscape was part of Constable’s broader effort to validate his artistic career and promote appreciation of Britain’s natural scenery. By reproducing his works in an affordable print format, he sought to reach a wider audience and to demonstrate the universal appeal of the country’s light and terrain.
Legacy
The series, and prints such as “Noon,” have been recognized as pivotal in the dissemination of Constable’s vision, influencing later landscape artists and collectors. The mezzotints remain valuable records of Constable’s approach to light, and they continue to be studied for their role in the early 19th‑century print market.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Constable (; 11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition.
