The Triptych

1798.

How did John Constable evade family responsibilities to become the artist we recognise today?

John wants to be an artist; for years he has been walking and sketching locally with his friend, Dunthorne. Golding Constable is desperate for his son to take over from him in the thriving family business at Flatford Mill.

Golding promises John a studio in the village if he will paint an altarpiece for East Bergholt Church – he hopes that John will remain to work with him at the Mill. John is not good at finishing paintings, but then he meets Maria and his whole life changes…