After John Constable, In the Cornfields (The Cornfield)

John Constable (1776-1837) painted The Cornfield in 1826 and sent it to the Royal Academy simply as ‘Landscape’. The lane is based on Fen Lane near East Bergholt in Suffolk. After his death, 113 subscribers bought the picture and gave it to the National Gallery in 1837. It was the first Constable to enter the national collection.

A shepherd boy lies on his front to drink from a pool at the roadside. His dog drives the flock down a sandy lane beneath tall trees, towards a gate and the ripe corn beyond. A distant village church rises over the fields under a high summer sky.

Colour print with a plate mark, lettered ‘In the Cornfields.’ in open capitals and ‘From the original Painting by John Constable R.A. in the National Gallery London’. Above the image: ‘Published by The Artistic Photographic Co Limited, 49, Baker Street, London, W.’ Framed under glass in a dark oak frame with a gilt slip.