Artwork
NOON
NOON is a print by the Romanticist artist John Constable. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This mezzotint belongs to the influential series "English Landscape," a collection of twenty‑two prints issued between 1830 and 1832.
About this work
Overview
This mezzotint belongs to the influential series "English Landscape," a collection of twenty‑two prints issued between 1830 and 1832. The series was conceived by John Constable near the end of his life and was intended to reproduce a selection of his oil sketches, finished paintings, and a few watercolours and drawings.
Subject & Meaning
Constable chose scenes that held personal and historical resonance, aiming to showcase the characteristic qualities of English scenery. The images emphasize the interplay of light and shadow, reflecting his belief that chiaroscuro is a fundamental principle governing natural landscapes.
Technique & Style
The prints were executed in mezzotint by David Lucas, a relatively unknown engraver trained by Samuel Reynolds. Lucas’s work translates Constable’s atmospheric effects into the tonal richness of the mezzotint medium, echoing the landscape traditions of Claude Lorrain and J.M.W. Turner.
History & Provenance
The first edition appeared in six parts from June 1830 to July 1832; a revised second edition was issued in 1833. After Constable’s death in 1837, additional re‑prints were produced, unfinished plates were completed, and Lucas continued to publish new plates under the series title.
Context
Constable’s venture into print publishing was an effort to defend and disseminate his artistic legacy at a time when his approach to landscape was still contested. By presenting English scenery through mezzotint, he sought a broader audience for his vision of natural light and atmosphere.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Constable (; 11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition.
