Explore the painting
Constable's Salisbury
John Constable thought Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows was his best work. Why was the painting, and the city of ...
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 ...
Re-framing Constable
How do you frame a masterpiece? Go behind the scenes and discover the process of making a frame at Tate
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 ...
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
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
Explore Constable's places
In a letter to his close friend John Fisher, Constable said ‘I should paint my own places best’. Discover John ...
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 ...
Looking differently at Constable
Take your time and look at Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows in new and surprising ways
More on Constable
Work of the week: Flatford Mill ('Scene on a Navigable River') by John Constable
'I associate my "careless boyhood" to all that lies on the banks of the Stour. They made me a painter ...
The final visitor: John Constable II
Steven Sherrill pens a fictional account of a studio visit to the English painter John Constable
The edge of England: John Constable
Poet Lavinia Greenlaw pens a poem on Constable inspired by a visit to the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, Kent.
Nostalgia as nature intended: Tate Britain rehang In Focus II
A new series of In Focus displays at Tate Britain takes an in-depth look at artworks as well as items ...
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 ...
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
Naturalism
Naturalism was a broad movement in the nineteenth century which represented things closer to the way we see them
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 ...