In 1828 John Constable found himself a widower with seven young children. Apart from his own sorrow at the death of his beloved wife Maria, a blow from which he never really recovered, he must also have had to deal with the grief and loss faced by his offspring. As a comparatively well off single parent, he could pay for help in the house and education for his sons but he must have had to provide most of the much needed emotional support and guidance himself. Two letters and a little book held in the National Art Library, give an insight into his relationship with his children. On 26th March 1833 Emily, one of his younger daughters celebrated her birthday.
“Dearest Emily, I send you my most affectionate good wishes on your birth day… you asked for your hymn book I therefore send it to you and Eliza has made you a cake”
The book, Isaac Watts’ Songs, divine and moral, is mentioned the next day in a letter to Constable’s second son Charles
“I have coloured all the pictures in Dr Watt’s Hymn book for Dear Emily, to be sent on her birth day, it looks very pretty”
He goes on to say
“I well remember your birth day, I was about the large picture of the waggon crossing the river which went to Paris – and for the painting of which I received the present of my gold medal inscribed with my name ‘John Constable peintre du passage London” He is encouraging, “I have been much pleased with your letter and the little sketches which you are now and then put into them”
He passes on family news,
“John has made a wood cut by cutting into one of Alfie’s bricks … he has been very busy taking impressions which he is going to send you”
Constable’s interest in small detail is also evident,
“Miss Jackson has sent you a pretty book – she sent first one that you have. I wrote to her to say that it if it made no difference to her, you had not got the insect book and which John said you were much wished for.”
Although most of the letter is light-hearted, Constable also cannot help adding a somewhat weary few lines of fatherly exasperation and concern, “ I hope you will by degrees be able to attend to your books…….I know that you have never been able to attend, but I hope in the way you are in now you will soon get on” Unfortunately, we do not know what Emily’s reaction was to this beautiful book, it has certainly been used but carefully kept. Charles did not grow up to be a painter, he joined the British East India Company’s navy.
Diane Spaul, Isaac Watts, Songs divine and moral NAL RC.E.1. Two letters from John Constable MSL/1888/237 ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Each day, your Museum give a new gift of knowledge. Today, Constable, a great painter for me, shows me his private life. And, I discovered an emotive and sensitive way to live : father of his heart. Thanks V&A…..♥♥♥
I’d like to thank you for the invaluable information you provide us through your website and through your Facebook Page.
In this particular case, and after having visited your amazing Exhibition, Constable: The Making of a Master, I can’t but feel deeply moved by this post which I thank from my heart.
Congratulations to all involved in the Exhibition and to the Staff of your Museum. It’s always been one of my favourite places in London.
Kind regards from Buenos Aires,
Mia Feigelson
Good to teaf emoyibe text about . John. Constable private lifr.
i have enjoyedlearning about john constable.i believe he is my great great grandfatherthru my mom’s side of which her maiden name is alice constable .Her dad’s name was fred constable. i was wznting the names of john’ c.7 kids but can only find 4 of them .