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A 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…”

Questions & Answers

How harmonious are the colors of "A Boat passing a Lock" by John Constable Reeve?

The color harmony of "A Boat passing a Lock" is recorded as strong color unity.

What kind of colors does "A Boat passing a Lock" use?

"A Boat passing a Lock" by John Constable Reeve uses an earthy color palette. The palette summarizes the work's overall color character.

How light is "A Boat passing a Lock" overall?

The perceived brightness of "A Boat passing a Lock" by John Constable Reeve is shadow. It can be matched to the light of the intended space.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team

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