Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows
John Constable Β· 1831
Why it's great
The cathedral's slim spire rises beyond a stream and meadow beneath a stormy sky, with a bright rainbow. Constable painted it in 1831, when he was sad about the death of his wife. The dramatic clouds show his feelings. It's one of his grandest landscapes.
Where to see it
π National GalleryLondon, United Kingdom
Open in Maps β About this museum βHang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
John Constable was born in East Bergholt, in the English county of Suffolk, where his father owned mills. He painted the farms, rivers, and clouds of the countryside he grew up in, often outdoors, which was unusual at the time. He lived in London for much of his adult life. He was more admired in France than at home, and his work inspired the Barbizon painters and Impressionists.
