Salisbury International Art Festival

Martin Gayford - Constable in Love

Genre: Literature
Origin: UK
Location: Salisbury Museum Lecture Theatre
Tickets: £6
Dates: Sunday 23 May 14:30

Constable in LoveWhen John Constable fell in love with Maria Bicknell, he little knew how long it would take to make her his wife. The impediment to their marriage was simple: 'that necessary article, cash'.

In this event Martin Gayford superbly illuminates Constable's early years as a painter. Maria and John's correspondence provides a lively backdrop to the story: one of lovers' tiffs; London versus country life; encounters with Turner, Byron and Wordsworth; royal scandals and rivalries at the Royal Academy. All the time, John Constable battles to become a painter who can earn his living and win Maria's hand.


Martin Gayford is the art critic of The Spectator, and contributes regularly to The Daily Telegraph, Modern Painters and Harpers & Queen.
Proudly sponsored by Waterstone's

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