Study of the trunk of an elm tree, John Constable

Study of the trunk of an elm tree
John Constable (1776-1837)
about 1821
Britain
Oil on canvas
30.6 x 24.8 cm
Museum no. 786-1888
Given by Isabel Constable 1888

Constable probably painted this remarkable sketch in Hampstead. Its uncompromising realism has an almost photographic quality. The artist's friend and biographer C. R. Leslie recalled: 'I have seen him admire a fine tree with an ecstasy of delight like that with which he would catch up a beautiful child in his arms'.