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

Constable worked on views of Helmingham Dell at different periods of his life, in 1800 (Reynolds, op.cit. nos. 00.1 and 00.2), in 1826, no. 26.21 (fig. 1) and in 1830, nos. 30.1, 30.2 and 30.3. The study of a pollarded willow in the second drawing does not seem to correspond precisely with a finished work despite being squared for transfer, however two studies of A willow tree in Flatford Meadows, (Victoria and Albert Museum, Reynolds, op.cit., nos. 27.19 and 27.20, pls. 649 and 650) could be this tree from a different angle. Peter Bower suggests that both papers probably date from the 1820s.