Lost John Constable Painting Rediscovered in Texas Bound for Auction

The work is the largest-known study for 1826's 'The Cornfield'.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:19pm

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A lost John Constable painting, a large-scale oil study for his famous work 'The Cornfield' (1826), has been rediscovered in rural Texas. The painting was received by the Jefferson Historical Society and Museum in the late 1960s from Newhouse Galleries in New York, but was long believed to be a copy. After expert examination, the work has been authenticated as an original Constable, and is now set to be auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Dallas on June 5.

Why it matters

The rediscovery of this significant Constable work challenges existing notions about the evolution of 'The Cornfield' and provides new insights into the artist's creative process. As one of the largest known studies for the painting, it bridges a key gap in understanding how Constable developed his iconic landscape work.

The details

The painting, measuring 55 by 48 inches, was put through extensive examination including cleaning tests, pigment analysis, and infrared reflectography. The results confirmed 'complete consistency with Constable's materials and working methods.' Experts believe Constable painted the study around 1820, and later reworked it in early 1826 alongside the final version of 'The Cornfield.' How the work ended up in Texas remains a mystery, but it may have been among the many bought-in works from the Foster's sale after Constable's death.

  • The painting was received by the Jefferson Historical Society and Museum in the late 1960s.
  • In 2017, Heritage Auctions facilitated a sale for the Historical Society, during which Marianne Berardi suspected the work's authenticity.
  • In 2023, the Historical Society paid for expert assistance to further examine the painting.
  • The painting will go on view at Heritage Auctions in London between March 27 and April 2.
  • The painting will be auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Dallas on June 5.

The players

John Constable

A pioneering Romantic landscape painter known for works like 'The Cornfield'.

Marianne Berardi

Co-director of European art at Heritage Auction.

Sarah Cove

A conservator and Constable expert tasked with studying the rediscovered painting.

Anne Lyles

An art historian and Constable expert tasked with studying the rediscovered painting.

Jefferson Historical Society and Museum

The institution that received the painting in the late 1960s from Newhouse Galleries.

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What they’re saying

“We see his thought processes actually taking place. This was the very important function of a full-size sketch that he had developed over the preceding years.”

— Sarah Cove, Conservator

“Previous commentators have talked at length about how Constable leapt from the small, preliminary works for The Cornfield directly to the finished painting. Since the rediscovery of the full-size sketch, we now know that is incorrect.”

— Sarah Cove, Conservator

What’s next

The painting will go on view at Heritage Auctions in London between March 27 and April 2 before being auctioned in Dallas on June 5.

The takeaway

The rediscovery of this significant Constable work provides new insights into the artist's creative process and challenges existing notions about the evolution of his iconic landscape painting 'The Cornfield'.