The artwork “Landscape with a Double Rainbow” is a Romantic-era painting by John Constable, created in 1812. The oil on paper landscape measures 33.7 x 38.4 cm and depicts a rural scene enriched by the presence of a double rainbow. As an exemplar of Romanticism, this work is infused with emotional resonance and a deep veneration for nature.
In the artwork, one can observe the grandeur of a natural phenomenon as the double rainbow arches across the sky. The two rainbows present give an exceptional depth to the scene, suggesting both transience and a moment of revelation that such atmospheric conditions can bring. The surroundings appear subdued, which likely serves to accentuate the brilliance and ephemeral beauty of the rainbows. The earthy tones of the landscape, including the trees and possibly fields or open meadows, provide a stark contrast to the ethereal colors of the rainbows. The sky, with its depiction of the interplay of light and shadow, contributes to the overall atmospheric effect that Constable was known to masterfully capture. The artwork, with its execution and subject, captures a moment in time that exemplifies the Romanticists’ fascination with awe-inspiring natural moments and their emotional and spiritual implications.
