Why Constable Didn’t Give Up Figure Painting

A free Courtauld lecture by Nicholas Robbins exploring John Constable's lesser-known figure drawing and painting, including his work in the Royal Academy life class.

This lecture examines John Constable's work from the 1830s through the lens of figure drawing and painting, particularly his visits to the Royal Academy's life drawing class. It explores how the spatial dynamics of the life class shaped his ideas about landscape painting, alongside his printmaking projects, exhibition paintings and evolving 'Lectures on Landscape'. The talk is organised by Professor Steve Edwards of the Courtauld's Manton Centre for British Art and delivered by Nicholas Robbins, Lecturer in British Art at University College London.