Great Artists Two with Tim Marlow Season 1 Episode 7 Constable

In season 1 episode 7 of Great Artists Two with Tim Marlow, viewers are introduced to the life and work of English landscape painter John Constable. Constable was born in 1776 in Suffolk, England, and spent most of his life painting scenes of the English countryside.

The episode begins with Marlow visiting Flatford Mill, the location of one of Constable's most famous paintings, "The Hay Wain." Marlow explains that Constable was one of the first artists to paint the landscape in a realistic way, depicting the natural world as he saw it rather than relying on classical or mythological themes.

Marlow then takes viewers back to Constable's childhood, explaining that as a young boy, Constable developed a love of nature while exploring the countryside around his home. This love would later become the foundation of his art.

Constable studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where he was initially discouraged from painting landscapes, as the prevailing style of the time was more focused on historical and classical themes. However, Constable remained dedicated to his vision of painting nature as it truly was, even when it went against the conventions of the art world.

Marlow shows viewers several of Constable's paintings, including "Dedham Vale," "The Hay Wain," and "Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds," and explains how Constable's use of light and color revolutionized the way landscapes were painted. He also explores how Constable's technique of painting outdoors, or en plein air, influenced the Impressionist movement that would come decades later.

Throughout the episode, Marlow speaks with experts and historians to provide context for Constable's work and its place in the art world. He also visits several locations that inspired Constable's paintings, including the countryside around Suffolk and the city of Salisbury.

Marlow concludes by reflecting on Constable's legacy and influence, noting that his dedication to painting the natural world in an honest and accurate way paved the way for later generations of artists to do the same. He reminds viewers that Constable's paintings are not just beautiful works of art, but also important cultural artifacts that help us understand the world as it was in the past.