John Constable: Perseverance

"Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds"
by John Constable

"John Constable was prevented by illness from finishing either of the large pictures he had on hand in time for the exhibitions of 1823, explaining to his friend Fisher:

'Ever since Christmas my house has been a sad scene of serious illness; all my children [two sons and two daughters] laid up at once. Things are now, thanks to God, looking better, but poor John is still in a fearful state. I am unfortunately taken ill again myself... I have not seen the face of my easel since Christmas, and it is not the least of my troubles that the good Bishop's picture is not fit to be seen... 

Then two weeks later:

'I am weak and much emaciated. They took a great deal of blood from me which I could ill spare... but I will leave my house, and go into my painting room. I have put a large upright landscape in hand, and I hop I shall hold up to get it ready for the Academy, with the Bishop's picture...

And in May:

'My cathedral looks uncommonly well. It is much approved of by the Academy, and, moreover, in Seymour Street... It was the most difficult subject in landscape I ever had on my easel. I have not flinched at the windows, buttresses, &c...  Speaking of me, Fuseli says, 'I like de landscapes of Constable. He is always picturesque, of a fine colour, and de lights always in de right places, but he makes me call for my great coat and umbrella.' This may amuse you, when contemplating this busy but distant scene, however, though I am here in the midst of the world, I am out of it, and am happy, and endeavour to keep myself unspotted. I have a kingdom of my own - my landscape and my children. I have work to do, and my finances must be repaired if possible. I have a face now on my easel, and may have more.'"

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Life and Letters of John Constable, R.A." by Charles Robert Leslie.)