Constable, John (1776-1837)
Full-Scale Study for The Hay Wain
c.1821
Oil on canvas, 137 × 188 cm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Constable often made full-scale studies for large exhibition paintings. He used a broad painting style to establish the general balance of the composition and its colours. This study is for his most famous work, The Hay Wain, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1821. The painting is now in the National Gallery. The scene is near Flatford Mill. (V&A)