A young girl with a spaniel in a landscape

The present watercolor appears to be amongst the earliest recorded works of Constable, dating to circa 1789 by Lionel Constable (1828-1887). Constable, the second son, was was employed by his father in his mills and was expected to succeed his father in the business, but as a youth he undertook sketching trips in the neighbouring counties. His interest in painting was encouraged by his friendship with John Dunthorne (1770-1844), who lived near Golding Constable. Dunthorne, the local plumber and glazier in East Bergholt, was also a keen amateur artist and fostered an early friendship with the young Constable. He was also encouraged by introductions to the collector Sir George Beaumont (1753-1827) and the artist and diarist Joseph Farington, R.A. (1747-1841). In 1799 Constable persuaded his father to allow him to pursue a career as a painter and he was granted a small allowance and entered the Royal Academy Schools as a probationer.