Artwork
A brook with a high bank
A brook with a high bank is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist John Constable. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A brook with a high bank is the subject of this 1834 watercolour by John Constable, characterized by a rugged landscape and loose brushwork.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a brook cutting through a steep, tree-lined bank, with a few figures walking along a path in the distance, set against a backdrop of earthy tones and a reflected sky.
Technique & Style
The watercolour features quick, expressive brushstrokes that convey a sense of natural spontaneity, with visible texture and unrefined detail, evoking a sense of immediacy and outdoor observation.
History & Provenance
The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1835 alongside The Valley Farm, a year that also saw Constable travel to Arundel and deliver lectures in Worcester.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Constable was an English landscape painter in the Romantic tradition. Born in Suffolk, he is known principally for revolutionising the genre of landscape painting with his pictures of Dedham Vale, the area on the…
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