The Making of Landscape

A major exhibition of artworks by the three towering figures of English landscape painting - John Constable RA, Thomas Gainsborough RA and JMW Turner RA takes place at London’s Royal Academy of Arts.

It explores the development of the British school of landscape painting. The display includes 150 works of art, including paintings, prints, books and archival material.

Showcasing major works from the Royal Academy Collections, the exhibition features highlights such as Gainsborough’s Romantic Landscape (c.1783), Constable’s The Leaping Horse (1825) and Boat Passing a Lock (1826) alongside Turner’s brooding diploma work, Dolbadern Castle (1800).

An accompanying note explains: “Since the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768, its Members have included artists committed to landscape painting, addressing the changing meaning of ‘truth to nature’ and the discourses surrounding the beautiful, the sublime and the picturesque. During the 18th and 19th centuries there was a shift in style in landscape painting, represented here in the works of Gainsborough, the emotionally charged and sublime landscapes of Turner and Constable’s sentimental, romantic scenes.”

A number of works by those like Richard Wilson, Michael Angelo Rooker and Paul Sandby are also exhibited, with prints made after 17th century masters whose work served as models: Claude, Poussin, Gaspard Dughet and Salvator Rosa. Letters by Gainsborough, Turner’s watercolor box and Constable’s palette are on display, bringing their artistic practice to life.

The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate. The Academy was founded by George III in 1768. The 34 founding Members were a group of prominent artists and architects including Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir William Chambers who were determined to achieve professional standing for British art and architecture.

Another significant exhibition at the institution early next year will be the first ever retrospective devoted to the portraiture of Edouard Manet. Spanning the entire career of this enigmatic and at times controversial artist, 'Manet: Portraying Life' will bring together works from across Europe, Asia and the US.