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

This is a sketch for two known watercolours of East Bergholt Church. Constable's mother, keen for the young artist to be seen in good light by Maria Bicknell's grandfather, Dr Rhudde, the Rector of East Bergholt, sent to Constable in London a watercolour he had given her of the church and asked him as a favour to make another version and have it glazed as a present for the Rector. This was done and with a label lettered by Dunthorne, the watercolour of the church was given to Rhudde (Lady Lever Art Gallery), G. Reynolds, op.cit., no. 11.07, pl. 893. The whereabouts of the version belonging to Constable's mother are unknown.