The Hay Wain
John Constable Β· 1821
Why it's great
A farm cart splashes across a shallow stream in front of a cottage, beneath a huge sky of drifting clouds. Constable painted the scene near his boyhood home in Suffolk, England, and it's full of real countryside. When it was shown in Paris in 1824, French artists were amazed by its fresh, natural look. It has become one of the most beloved images of the English countryside.
π Look closer!
Find the dog at the edge of the water. Where is the cart going?
Where to see it
π National GalleryLondon, United Kingdom
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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.
