About this episode

The episode explores the genius of painter John Constable with art historian Susan Owens, discussing his impact and legacy on the English countryside.

Painter John Constable (1776-1837) is today one of the most celebrated painters of the English countryside. But in his lifetime his efforts to capture the true essence of nature and rural life were often rejected by his peers. What made him so special and why is he so revered now?Now, on the 250th anniversary of Constable's birth, Plodcast host Fergus Collins meets art historian Susan Owen in 'Constable Country' on the Suffolk-Essex border to explore the great artists' world.Susan Owens' brilliant new book Constable's Year: An Artist in Changing Seasons is published by Thames and Hudson. Our Facebook page is back! Search "BBC Countryfile Magazine - Plodcast Community" or join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/countryfilemagazineplodcast/?ref=shareThe BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 & 2025 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a…

People in this episode

Host: Fergus Collins

Guest: Susan Owens

Topics covered

• art history
• John Constable
• nature
• countryside
• painting
• cultural significance

Keywords

• John Constable
• art historian
• Suffolk
• nature painting
• Constable's Year
• countryside art
• cultural history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Thames and Hudson, BBC Countryfile Magazine

Books & works: Constable's Year: An Artist in Changing Seasons

Places: Suffolk-Essex border

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