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The Constable Country

1970 , East Bergholt (Suffolk)

Cat no. 220017

Glimpses on Super 8 film of the picturesque landmarks and pretty countryside that inspired Romantic artist John Constable's paintings.

Bert Gregory narrates throughout this amateur documentary about the countryside of the Essex / Suffolk border that inspired Romantic landscape artist John Constable. First is a map of the Stour Valley region, followed by famous paintings by Constable; a painting of the artist, his wife, his mother, and his father. There feature in turn many of the villages and their landmarks that hold a connection to John Constable. First is the village of East Bergholt, showing the post office and then St Mary the Virgin’s Church in East Bergholt, birthplace of Constable. Scenes show inside the church and the gravestones. Next, Flatford Mill, owned by Constable’s father, and the subject of Constable’s most famous painting, The Haywain. Next showing the picturesque Willy Lott’s Cottage, now a National Trust property, where budding artists follow in the footsteps and paint the cottage. In Dedham is the 15th century St Mary’s Church, and surrounding Georgian houses including Dedham Grammar School, which Constable attended, and Dedham Mill, owned and run by Constable’s father. Southfields is a 16th century weaver’s house. There are views of Stratford St Mary’s Church, Langham Church, and Nayland Church, all being the subject of Constable paintings. A Constable painting hangs above the communion table of Nayland Church.

Featured Buildings

St Mary the Virgin’s Church, East Bergholt; Bridge Cottage, Flatford Mill; Willy Lott’s Cottage; St Mary’s Church, Dedham; Dedham Grammar School; Dedham Mill; Southfields, a weaver’s house; Stratford St Mary’s Church; Langham Church; Nayland Church.

Keywords

Artists; Landscapes; Painters.

Other Places

Dedham, Essex; Nayland, Suffolk; Stratford St. Mary, Suffolk.

Background Information

The countryside of the Essex-Suffolk border inspired Romantic landscape artist John Constable, who portrayed many of this area's rural landmarks on canvas, so much so, that it has become known as “Constable Country”. Amateur filmmaker Bert Gregory, a member of Clacton Cine Club, along with John Douglas and Arthur Webber made this short film, narrated by Bert Gregory, and featuring many of the villages and their landmarks that hold a connection to John Constable.

  • Maker : Bert Gregory

  • Maker : John Douglas

  • Maker : Arthur Webber

  • Narrator : Herbert Gregory

Manifestations

The Constable Country

Copyright restrictions apply.

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