THE Hay Wain masterpiece by John Constable is coming to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery this year.
The National Gallery in London is loaning the painting to Bristol as part of its National Treasures event in celebration of its 200th anniversary.
In total 12 museums and galleries, in each nation of the UK and each region of England, will receive a painting from the National Gallery’s collection. Each institution, including Bristol Museum, will programme exhibitions, events, and work with their communities to celebrate and learn about their painting.
The Hay Wain, painted by Constable in 1821, will be at the museum from 9 May to 1 September 2024.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Craig Cheney said: “It is a great honour to be loaned The Hay Wain by the National Gallery, and we are looking forward to sharing it with Bristol next year. Visitors to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will be able to see it up close and in the context of other landscape paintings, including 11 oil sketches by Constable, on loan from the V&A’s collection, that will be on display alongside The Hay Wain.’
The exhibition will look at the art that influenced Constable, and how he influenced landscape art. Using the museum’s wide-ranging collections from 17th century Dutch painting to 21st century installation art, it will explore many aspects of the work.
More details about the exhibition and how to book tickets will be released nearer the time.