Artwork
Study of Flowers in a Hyacinth Glass
Study of Flowers in a Hyacinth Glass is an unspecified painting by John Constable. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
John Constable’s oil painting titled *Study of Flowers in a Hyacinth Glass* was executed in 1814. The work measures a modest size and is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It presents a still‑life arrangement of blossoms placed in a glass vase, rendered with the artist’s characteristic attention to natural detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a loose bouquet of red, white and yellow blossoms, their green stems and foliage spilling from a clear hyacinth‑shaped glass. Set against a warm, earthy background, the arrangement suggests a fleeting moment of botanical abundance, inviting contemplation of the transience of floral beauty.
Technique & Style
Constable employs a palette of saturated hues contrasted with muted browns, allowing the flowers to stand out. Brushwork is vigorous, with visible strokes that convey the texture of petals and the reflective quality of the glass. Light falls across the scene, creating subtle highlights that enhance the sense of three‑dimensional form.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed early in Constable’s career, before his fame as a landscape painter. It entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s decorative arts and painting collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Constable (; 11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition.
