John Constable: The Leaping Horse

Each year between 1819 and 1825, English painter John Constable (1776–1837) submitted a monumental canvas to the Royal Academy of Arts in London for display in the Summer Exhibition. These so-called “six-footers” captured the life of the River Stour in Suffolk, where Constable grew up and where he returned to paint each summer. “The Leaping Horse,” the last of these canvases, now a major work in the Academy’s permanent collection, is the subject of this authoritative new book from author Richard Humphreys. In a beautifully illustrated guide to a key painting in one of the best-known series in British art, Humphreys explores Constable’s working methods and his struggle to gain appreciation within the art establishment of the early 19th century. With reproductions of preliminary sketches and new photography of the original work, this book is the ideal companion for those seeking a deeper appreciation of Constable’s iconic depictions of the English countryside.