Explore the painting
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Look Closer
Constable's Salisbury
John Constable thought Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows was his best work. Why was the painting, and the city of … -
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Subjects and meaning in Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows
Revolutionary in his approach to landscape but conservative in his approach to life: discover some of the themes that inspired … -
Behind The Scenes
Re-framing Constable
How do you frame a masterpiece? Go behind the scenes and discover the process of making a frame at Tate -
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Constable's techniques, materials and 'six footer' paintings
Explore the techniques and materials that John Constable used – and discover why his series of ‘six-footer’ paintings were so … -
Inspired by
Listen to Salisbury Cathedral
What does a painting sound like? Hear the sheep in the fields and the ring in the bells in this …
Related themes and activities
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Constable's legacy and influence
Discover how Constable ensured the circulation and longevity of his masterpieces and explore his influence on later generations of artists -
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Explore Constable's places
In a letter to his close friend John Fisher, Constable said ‘I should paint my own places best’. Discover John … -
Look Closer
Constable discussion and activities resource
Whether you are studying John Constable or just interested in exploring his art: use our discussion, research and activity suggestions … -
Teaching Resource
Looking differently at Constable
Take your time and look at Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows in new and surprising ways
More on Constable
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Tate Etc
The final visitor
Steven Sherrill pens a fictional account of a studio visit to the English painter John Constable -
Tate Etc
The edge of England
Poet Lavinia Greenlaw pens a poem on Constable inspired by a visit to the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, Kent. -
Tate Etc
Nostalgia as nature intended
A new series of In Focus displays at Tate Britain takes an in-depth look at artworks as well as items … -
Tate Papers
Constable’s Sketch for Hadleigh Castle : A Technical Examination
Constable (1776–1837) made one of his characteristic 'six footer' oil sketches in preparation for Hadleigh Castle which he exhibited at … -
In Focus
Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows exhibited 1831 by John Constable
New research into Constable’s brooding, dramatic and compositionally complex Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows offers an expanded context – political, …
Related art terms
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Naturalism
Naturalism was a broad movement in the nineteenth century which represented things closer to the way we see them -
Landscape
Landscape is one of the principal types or genres of subject in Western art -
Plein air
The French term plein air means out of doors and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures out … -
Oil paint
Oil paint is form of a slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil that … -
Romanticism
Term in use by the early nineteenth century to describe the movement in art and literature distinguished by a new …
