I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

Although his paintings are now among the most popular and valuable in British art Constable was never financially successful. His painting was embraced in France where he sold more works than in his native England and inspired the Barbizon school. Born in Suffolk he is known principally for his landscape paintings of Dedham Vale the area surrounding his home—now known as "Constable Country"—which he invested with an intensity of affection.