Constable's The Hay Wain to go on display in county

The Hay Wain is being exhibited in Suffolk for the first time since it was painted in 1821

John Constable's The Hay Wain will go on display next year in his home county for the first time to mark the 250th anniversary of the artist's birth.

The oil painting will be exhibited at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich next year.

The 1821 artwork, which depicts a rural scene near the River Stour in Suffolk, will be on loan from the National Gallery, in London, and accompanied by its preparatory sketches.

Emma Roodhouse, the collections and learning curator for art at Colchester and Ipswich Museums, said having The Hay Wain in the county for the first time had always been an ambition.

"It will have real meaning for Ipswich and Suffolk, celebrating the profound impact of his art - a truly joyful moment for us all," she said.

"Celebrating Constable 250 reaffirms Ipswich's place at the heart of Constable's story and his lasting impact on art and culture."

The display is part of Colchester and Ipswich Museums' Constable 250 project, which will run from January to March 2027.

Constable's The Hay Wain depicts this area of Flatford, Suffolk

Constable was born in East Bergholt in 1776 and became one of the country's most important painters before his death in 1837 at the age of 60.

During that time he and his works became synonymous with Suffolk, so much so the area in which he grew up is known as part of Constable country.

The artwork depicts an idyllic scene in Flatford and shows a horse and cart in the River Stour and Willy Lott's cottage on the bank.

Despite capturing the Suffolk countryside, The Hay Wain was actually painted in Constable's studio in London.

Christchurch Mansion will be the main exhibitor for the events taking place in 2026

In celebration of his life, Colchester and Ipswich Museums' Constable 250 project will include three exhibitions held in Ipswich.

The Hay Wain will be shown alongside "significant loans" from the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The final exhibit of the year-long celebration, Constable to Contemporary, will explore the artist's ongoing relevancy and feature contemporary works.

Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for planning and museums, said the authority was "proud to play a central role" in bringing his work to the town.

The project has been backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Sasha Constable, an artist and descendant of Constable, said the display was "wonderful news".

"It's truly special to welcome this iconic masterpiece back to Suffolk - the very landscape that inspired some of Constable's most celebrated works," she said.