Restored John Constable masterpieces on display

Recently restored paintings The Hay Wain and The Leaping Horse by John Constable are set to be unveiled for the first time at Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Berlin, as part of the exhibition John Constable - Natural Painter (12 March - 3 July 2011). Many beautiful oil sketches, drawings and watercolours by the artist will also be featured.

John Constable (1776-1837) was a British born painter who became known principally for his romantic landscape paintings of Suffolk and the surrounding area of Dedham Vale. Constable took his inspiration from the beauty of his natural surroundings, although he was never fully appreciated in his own time. Constable's oil sketches have come to be seen as avant-garde in their way of portraying landscape and continue to enthrall public and critics alike.

Today, Constable's works are among the most popular and valuable in British art. His work continues to be displayed as part of the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in an intimate exhibition of his pocket sketchbooks.

Follow the link to see highlights of John Constable's pocket sketchbook on permanent display at the V&A.