A country road with elm trees

ca. 1830-ca. 1836 · Drawing · 8 × 11.2 cm

May one see it?

Not receiving at present

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 11 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum's own collection data

On the map Museum page

About the work

Constable's late wash drawings are notable for their free handling and almost expressionistic quality. This view of a country road is relatively restrained and more highly finished than some of its cousins. However, the rather menacing group of elm trees that blocks the horizon is characteristic of the dark mood common to his last drawings.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Particulars

Accession number: 603-1888

What it shows

Roads Elm

In the catalog

Drawings & watercolors Graphite Romanticism 19th century British School Great Britain

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 11 days ago
Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Meanwhile, in the life of John Constable

The whole life

1824–1828
The family in Brighton for Maria’s health
When Maria began to show symptoms of tuberculosis, Constable took lodgings for the family in Brighton in the hope that sea air would restore her health, dividing his time between Brighton and Charlotte Street in London. He was unsure at first that Brighton suited painting, and complained to Fisher that the beach was only Piccadilly by the sea.
23 November 1828
The death of his wife Maria
After the birth of their seventh child the family returned to Hampstead, where Maria died of tuberculosis at the age of 41. “Hourly do I feel the loss of my departed Angel,” Constable wrote to his brother.
1828–1837
A widower with seven children
For the rest of his life Constable dressed in black and brought up his seven children alone; according to Leslie he was “a prey to melancholy and anxious thoughts”. Several of the children also painted, notably Lionel.
February 1829
Elected to the Royal Academy at fifty-two
In February 1829, three months after his wife’s death, Constable was elected a member of the Royal Academy, at the age of 52.
31 March 1837
Death in the night, probably of heart failure
Constable died on the night of 31 March 1837, apparently of heart failure (another account names dyspepsia), and was buried beside Maria.
31 March 1837
Died