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DiaporamaA Boat passing a Lock
In this painting, a boat waits to enter a lock before moving upstream as threatening rainclouds pass overhead. John Constable captures a momentary weather condition, which animates the painting and dramatises the figure of the lock keeper with his red jacket silhouetted against the horizon. Constable was fascinated by cloud formations and the play of light on the landscape.The central figure, a man in a red waistcoat holding a large crowbar, is working the mechanism which will open the lower gate and let the water rush in from the lock into the river. Constable wrote to his friend a few years before making this work, “The sound of water escaping from mill-dams, etc., willows, old rotten planks, slimy posts, and brickwork, I love such things…”
john constable reeve (1929 – 2020)
Explore the serene landscapes & architectural studies of John Constable Reeve (1929-2020). British artist known for evocative scenes of Oxford, rural England & biblical themes.
Royal Academy of Arts (London, United Kingdom)
Explore the Royal Academy of Arts: A historic hub celebrating British art & design since 1768. Discover exhibitions, lectures, and a vibrant community fostering creativity across centuries.
About this artwork
- Title: A Boat passing a Lock
- Artist: john constable reeve
- Year: 1826
- Format: Landscape
- Copyright status: Under copyright
- Where to see it: Royal Academy of Arts
- Color palette: Earthy
- Perceived brightness: shadow
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