John Constable and David Lucas: A Unison of Feeling

Fascinating exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum looking at the collaboration of the painter John Constable with the engraved of his prints, David Lucas.

I had done a useful talk on this show which meant I knew a lot more about the works and relationship that was brought out in the display.

The first room looked at how they worked together with a selection of Constable's small sketches and proofs of the engravings Lucas made of them. Many included notes from Constable of changes he wanted making. There was also an explanation of the mezzotint technique that was used.

The second room focused on the print series they produced "English Landscapes" and showed a complete set of the prints along with a couple of the bound volumes. They also showed two of Lucas's larger prints of Constables more famous work. It was sad to read that despite this beautiful work that Lucas died in poverty in the workhouse.

Closed 14 June 2026


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