John Constable, R.A. (East Bergholt, Suffolk 1776-1837 Hampstead)

This drawing is one of a number of figure drawings made by Constable in or around 1806. The subjects for which were taken from his close circle of friends. In 1806 he visited the Cobbold, Hobson and Gubbins families; he also painted portraits of members of the Harden and Lloyd families. The majority of the studies are of women and children. A drawing of a similar character to the present drawing, Joshua Hobson reading on a Window Sea, was shown at the National Portrait Gallery, London, Constable Portraits, 2009, no. 18.