Meant to take over the family businesses, Constable instead turned to making art, prints and posters.
Art remained most ungrateful for his sacrifice throughout his lifetime, and he went undervalued (save by French painters) until the early 20th century, despite every effort and stylistic change.
Moody by nature, this and his wife's early death saw him paint increasingly ‘stormy' outdoor scenes. Best remembered for his landscape art, prints and posters, Constable supported his family with steady income from fine, if lesser-known, portraiture.