The Ruins of Netley Abbey

c. 1826

John Constable

Associated Names
John Constable

Artist, British, 1776 - 1837

The image depicts an elevated view of ruins of an arched gothic structure surrounded by dense foliage. The horizon is hidden by tall trees surrounding the ruins. The drawing style features intricate brushstrokes and cross-hatching creating texture in the leaves and stonework. The color palette is monochromatic in shades of brown and sepia. Closest to us, there is textured ground leading up to the structure, while the trees and ruins in the background appear less detailed as they recede.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on wove paper [1st state]

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 13.2 x 18.8 cm (5 3/16 x 7 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 22 x 30 cm (8 11/16 x 11 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1987.4.1

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1984

  • Graham Reynolds. The later paintings and drawings of John Constable. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven and London, 1984: no.26.25.

Inscriptions

in later hand, across bottom in graphite: Ruins of an Abbey by John Constable. Earlier than BM impression. It is before monogram at upper left / before birds in sky + before considerable crosshatching / etc on trees + new [curly] shading in left foreground

Watermarks

J Whatman Turkey Mill

Wikidata ID

Q74875980

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