1687543242000 1687520123000 Standard Record object-110009048 1747159857035 1699447934000 1747159409017 adlib fitz-online adlib-object-110009048 https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110009048 0b81f448-4c07-3363-b516-0d6f3493f938 4 person reference agent-29619 adlib-agent-29619 ef67fb8d-9a82-3301-9947-b8d0526effb3 Constable, John content description This introduction to 'English Landscape' was written by John Constable himself. In his explanatory notes (see Constable/EL/6/2), R.B. Beckett describes this manuscript as follows. ''Constable's final draft. This was used with some slight alterations, presumably made in proof, for the Prospectus and Address of 28 May 1832 (not in Shirley; the copy sent to Leslie is Eg. Ms. 3255, ff. 95b, 95 in the British Museum). It was also used for the Introduction of the same date issued with the prints (Shirley's A 4, p. 220, of which should precede his A 3). The 'English Landscape' or 'Various Subjects of Landscape, Characteristic of English Scenery' was a project undertaken by John Constable and the printmaker, David Lucas. It comprised of twenty-two mezzotints, and was issued between June 1830 and July 1832. A second edition was also prepared alongside letterpress text. TRANSCRIPT: <RECTO> Introduction Mr Constable’s English Landscape ________ Address _________ ‘’Rura mihi et rigui placeant in vallibus amnes Flumina amemm sylvasque inglorious.’’ Virgil, Geo. II, 485. _________ The present collection of English Landscape, after much pains and considerable expense bestowed upon it, is at length completed and is offered to the notice of the world; not without anxiety as to the kind of reception it may meet with. The very favourable opinion however based upon it by professional and other intelligent friends whence in progress at the same time that it has encouraged its publication has also served to lessen that anxiety in no small degree. The subjects of all the plates are taken from real places, and the effects are merely transcripts of what happened at the time. The object in view in their production by -- ---- the phenomenon of the ‘’Chiar’oscuro of Nature’’ to mark some of its endless beauties and varieties, to point out its vast influence upon landscape, and to show its use and power as a medium of expression. In Art as in Literature there are two modes by which men endeavour to aim at distinction; in the one the artist by close study of what others have accomplished, imitates their works , or selects and combines their various beauties; in the other he seeks excellence at its primitive source ‘’Nature’’. The one produces either imitative or eclectic art. The other that which is original. The results of the one mode, as they repeat that, with which the Eye is already familiar, are easily recognised and soon appreciated; the advances of the artist in the other must necessarily be slow, for it is the ‘’few’’ only who are able to judge immature talent or one qualified to discriminate original study. The author, if he could [venture?] to do so, would willingly entertain a hope that the present little work might [^] contribute in however small a degree to promote the love and [?] [?] of the memory of our own country; - abounding as it does in Grandeur, and [?] description of pastoral beauty, and [?] [?] us by [?] of the most powerfull kind. 35 Charlotte St Fitzroy Square 28 May 1832 <VERSO> Prospectus Mr Constable's English Landscape ________________ The work, which is just completed, consists of twenty prints in mezzotint, of various sizes, from about [ ] inches long. Engraved from pictures painted by John Constable Esq. R.A. by David Lucas Price Price of the Prints – five guineas Pce of Proofs – seven guineas & a half India Proofs – ten guineas The Frontispiece & Vignette – and Explanatory leaves are [graciously?] offered to the [?]. [ ] of Mr. Constable, 35 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square [?] Constable/EL/3/2/MS40-1953 1 accession number Constable/EL/3/2/MS40-1953 110009048 priref 110009048 uri https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110009048 https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110009048 reference agent-149638 adlib-agent-149638 7376d833-d0a7-3be0-916e-9c892b7a24d8 The Fitzwilliam Museum reference agent-29619 adlib-agent-29619 ef67fb8d-9a82-3301-9947-b8d0526effb3 Constable, John Length in 13 Width in 8.3 MS Introduction for 'English Landscape' object OBJECT