John ConstableBritish, 1776–1837Cottage at East Bergholt, with a cottager
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Cottage at East Bergholt, with a cottager” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
This sketch of a cottage in Constable's native East Bergholt is one of his earliest known dated drawings. The light, schematic, somewhat tentative style is typical of his early work. However, it is one of only two drawings in his first sketchbook to include a human figure, and is on the only sheet divided to accommodate two drawings.
In 1796, the year Constable created the sketchbook from which this drawing comes, he had not yet committed himself to an artistic career; it was assumed that he would enter his father's business. The same year, he met the writer J. T. 'Antiquity' Smith, who was collecting material for a book on rural scenery. Constable offered him several sketches of local cottages for possible inclusion in the book. Although Smith responded positively, he ultimately chose not to include any of Constable's cottage sketches in the published book.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 358E-1888
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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