John Constable R.A. (1776 - 1837) A tree by the banks of a stream, pencil, 11.7cm x 8.9cm

John Constable R.A., 1776 (East Bergholt, Suffolk) - 1837 (Hampstead, London), titled verso 'The Trunk of a Tree on the banks of a stream, the roots overhanging the water', 'Inscribed: 20 April, 1821', 'pencil drawing -4-3/4 x 3-1/2''', 'Tree Studies (Three on one mount)', all on the same typewritten label verso, Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd label verso 'No 42031', octagonal label verso listing from the 'Dr. H.A.C Gregory' and 'David M.Freudenthal' collections and exhibited at the 'Wildenstein Constable Centenary Exhibition, 1937 (133)' and the 'Arts Council John Constable, 1949 (38)', pencil drawing, 11.9cm x 9.1cm, frame 27.8 x 23.6cm

Dr H.A.C. Gregory. M.C. David M.Freudenthal. Purchased from Thomas Agnew & Sons in April 1979 by a Midlands' collector. Thence by descent.

Exhibited:- Wildenstein - Constable Centenary Exhibition, 1937 (133); Arts Council - John Constable, 1949 (38).

H.A.C.Gregory, M.C. was a well-respected connoisseur, noted for collecting the best examples by Constable. The Agnew’s label lists this work as having been exhibit number 38 in the Arts Council exhibition of Constable’s works in 1949. It is also listed as being in the Wildenstein Constable’s centenary exhibition in 1937.

This work encapsulates Constable’s passion for trees in particular and the English countryside in general. Unusually, it is dated ’20 April 1821’. Research has revealed that the Suffolk Records Society (SRS) has a letter dated on this very day, written to his wife, Maria, in London. It was written in the latter part of the 20^th from his birthplace, East Bergholt. So, this would have been drawn in the environs. Again, unusually we know the locale. He records in his letter that he called on the Godfreys in the morning and remarks that the hot cross buns he brought from London were ‘’quite acceptable’’ (1). This letter is a charming insight into this man’s character, who comes across as humane and engaging. The plight and travails of some mutual acquaintances are recounted, along with his visits and his love of the countryside, which is particularly evident "How sweet and beautiful is every place & I visit my old haunts with renewed delight. . . Nothing can exceed the beautiful green of the meadows, which are beginning to fill with buttercups, & various flowers – the birds are singing from morning till night but most of all the sky larks. How delightful is the country, but I long to get back to what is still more dear to me…'' (2)

This drawing is listed in Charles Rhyne’s chronology and is mentioned in a footnote on page 266 of John Constable's Correspondence (JCCI) in the SRS. Also, it is illustrated in Graham Reynolds book/raisonne ‘The Later paintings and Drawings of John Constable’ (see plate 224), where it is listed as ‘Whereabouts unknown’ (3).

One thing that is not known and that is from which sketchbook this study originates. Maybe it is from the same one as another drawing of a willow stump which was also drawn in April 1821 at East Bergholt (4). Could this be one of ‘The Three on one mount’ that is on an old typewritten label verso on this work. There is another with different subject matter, depicting a gentleman on a bank, which might come from the same book too. It is ostensibly slightly larger, measuring 9.1 x 12.4cm and dated ‘7Sepr 1820’ (5), but could this difference in size be due to the mounting for Halls Fine Art’s example, which is framed and mounted, for we don’t know how much of the work on paper is concealed by the mount.

1-2. Beckett, R, M. John Constable Correspondence II (JCCII), pp. 266-67 and JCC I, pp. 195-96.

3.Reynolds, G. The Later Paintings and Drawings of John Constable’, published 1984, p74. plate 224.

4.Ibid. p.74.

5.Ibid. p60, plate 190.

See Chiswick Auctions sale on the 19th of June 2019, lot 89. This drawing (18 x 30cm) made a hammer price of £70,000. It's provenance included being sold as part of the Gregory Collection at Sotheby's on the 20th of July 1949.

Another, sketchier, example (Worcester Cathedral from the meadows), 22 x 28.5cm and estimated at £20,000-30,000 sold for £36,000 at Bonhams' sale on the 6th of December 2017.

Condition Report

There is some general surface discolouration staining (both in fore and background) that has probably come through the backing.Very probably laid down. Sold Unexamined out of frame.

Frame - overall in sound condition, but minor dents, scratches and chips, including a 1.5cm chip on upper left corner.

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