John Constable’s The Cornfield, 1 of the most beloved paintings from the National Gallery’s London collection and thought to be worth millions of pounds, has been put on display in Newport today (Tuesday) as part of a county-wide tour.
The painting, which has come to Newport as part of the bi-annual Visits programme, will be here until Sunday (11th June).
Hosted by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council in their new premises at 64 High Street, the town is the first stop on the painting’s tour, which will continue until mid-July. It’s said that the visit also forms part of the Shaping Newport initiative’s regeneration aims to use innovative ways to attract more footfall to the High Street…
Ahead of The Cornfield arrival, groups from the Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Services, Newport High Street Heritage Action Zone and Independent Arts were hard at work behind the scenes, finding the right location for the painting to be displayed and setting up a programme of coordinating events, including school visits, creative workshops, singing sessions and wellbeing gatherings.
Previous Visits tours have not only introduced thousands of people to the National Gallery but have also provided the opportunity to engage with and benefit from culture in their local areas in the longer term. Workshops and activities delivered in partnership with local museums and galleries helped them grow their own audiences in turn.
Those behind the exhibition have refused to say how much the painting is worth.
Richard Smout, the head of the Island’s Heritage Service said:
“We are so grateful to the National Gallery for bringing this beautiful painting to the Island.
“This is an amazing opportunity to spend time with one of Constable’s masterpieces in our community. We also look forward to sharing it with some of our schoolchildren while it’s here.”
Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism said:
“Taking important pieces from the National Gallery collection around the country is an inspired project.
“For those of us living on an Island, access to culture can be very limited because of logistics and the high cost. I’m so pleased that Newport has been chosen and the wraparound of workshops with young people makes a bigger impact and lasting impression.
“On Thursday I am taking the Island’s Cultural Strategy to Cabinet so what a way to start the week!”
I can see ‘just oil’ being on the next ferry.
Get the cover on or the champagne socialists and needy non-binaries will be there with their tomato soup.
So can the public drop in and see it? Or by invitation only. Not clear.
It is open as a drop-in. No appointment needed.
Thanks Daniel.
Possibly the only constable you will see in Newport unless there is a break in then 6 or 7 will turn up at the same time!!
My favourite artist, his works are next to time travel.
To bring people back to Newport reduce car park fees and stop building out of town. Ie Football club.
free one hour parking in three Newport car parks has been in place for a year now, plenty of time to pop in and do something positive, which is also free.
Are you drawing attention to the likely huge value of this painting just to encourage international art thieves?