The first biography of John Constable (1776-1837), the quintessentially English landscape painter, since 1843.
Anthony Bailey has won high praise for his books about artists- two idiosyncratic studies of Rembrandt, a much admired biography of Turner, and his masterpiece about Vermeer. He lives in Essex.
Bailey performs the chronicler's task with a novelist's heart,
which is why he is the pleasing biographer that he is... A picture
slowly emerges of a reactionary who became a revolutionary by
default... It's a picture I find utterly convincing
*Sunday Times*
Extremely readable
*Observer*
As with his earlier book on Vermeer, Bailey's genius lies in
finding a literary equivalent for his subject's style. He doesn't
just describe Constable's pictures, he writes them, each spare word
like a stroke of the artist's brush... lovely
*Independent on Sunday*
[Bailey] has lifted the lids on all the pies, pulled out the plums
and served them up in a different and toothsome order... Judicious.
The portrait that emerges is rounded, attractive and
entertaining
*Irish Times*
If, for you, the joy of reading is being absorbed into another
world, this elegant and detailed life of painter John Constable,
the first since 1843, will not disappoint. Anthony's style is
deceptively cool, almost unobtrusive... This sensitive book
resonates with respect and admiration, treating the man with
humanity and demolishing for ever the "chocolate box" frivolity
surrounding Constable's name and work
*Sunday Express*
Bailey performs the chronicler's task with a novelist's heart,
which is why he is the pleasing biographer that he is... A picture
slowly emerges of a reactionary who became a revolutionary by
default... It's a picture I find utterly convincing -- Waldemar
Januszczak * Sunday Times *
Extremely readable -- Charles Saumarez Smith * Observer *
As with his earlier book on Vermeer, Bailey's genius lies in
finding a literary equivalent for his subject's style. He doesn't
just describe Constable's pictures, he writes them, each spare word
like a stroke of the artist's brush... lovely -- Charles Darwent *
Independent on Sunday *
[Bailey] has lifted the lids on all the pies, pulled out the plums
and served them up in a different and toothsome order... Judicious.
The portrait that emerges is rounded, attractive and entertaining
-- Brian Lynch * Irish Times *
If, for you, the joy of reading is being absorbed into another
world, this elegant and detailed life of painter John Constable,
the first since 1843, will not disappoint. Anthony's style is
deceptively cool, almost unobtrusive... This sensitive book
resonates with respect and admiration, treating the man with
humanity and demolishing for ever the "chocolate box" frivolity
surrounding Constable's name and work -- Jeffrey Taylor * Sunday
Express *
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