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JOHN CONSTABLE, R.A. (1776-1837) SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

THE beautiful cathedral at Salisbury, with its picturesque setting of ancient trees, was a favorite subject with Constable. He sketched it from all sides and in all lights, and made a number of paintings of it. Of these only three are of prime importance: the present one, the one from the same point of view, but slightly smaller, now in the South Kensington Museum, and a very large painting showing the Cathedral from the meadows. The two first-mentioned were executed on order for the Bishop of Salisbury, Dr. Fisher, in 1822. In a letter to Constable, dated August 3d, 1822, Bishop Fisher writes:- "My daughter Elizabeth is about to change her situation, and try whether she cannot perform the duties of a wife as well as she has done those of a daughter. She wishes to have in her house in London a recollection of Salisbury; I mean, therefore, to give her a picture, and I must beg of you either to finish the first sketch of my picture, or to make a copy of the small size. I wish to have a more serene sky."

The daughter thus referred to in Bishop's letter was Elizabeth; and in October, 1823, she was married to John Mirehouse, an eminent barrister, who for many years filled the office of common sergeant of London. He died in 1850, leaving a son and several daughters. In 1862 the painting was sent by Mrs. Mirehouse to the International Exhibition, and two years later it was sold to Mr. Locke H. Agnew. It then passed into the possession of Stephen G. Holland, of London.

The figures in the foreground probably represent Bishop Fisher and the daughter for whom the painting was made.

The picture is mentioned in all the books written about the artist and has been frequently exhibited.

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