English School, late 18th century

Major John Roland Abbey (1894–1969), Sussex, by 1954;

Thence by inheritance to the present owner.

London, Guildhall Art Gallery, Exhibition of Paintings by John Constable 1776–1837, 8 July – 30 August 1952, no. 44 (as John Constable, On the downs at Brighton).

This charming cloud study with a low horizon is reminiscent of George Stubb's studies of the rubbing-down house at Newmarket Heath racecourse, datable to circa 1765.¹

Note on Provenance

This canvas was formerly in the collection of John Roland Abbey (1894–1969), one of the most distinguished British collectors of the twentieth century. Abbey was renowned for assembling an exceptional private library and collection of works on paper relating to travel, exploration, topography, and historical subjects. A founding benefactor of the British National Book Centre and an active supporter of bibliographical scholarship, he is best remembered for the celebrated 'Abbey Sales' held at Sotheby's between 1967 and 1975, which dispersed his remarkable collections and set benchmarks for the market in rare books and prints.

¹ See for example the study at Tate Britain, London; https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/stubbs-newmarket-heath-with-a-rubbing-down-house-t02388