The image is a black and white etching of a pastoral scene viewed from a slightly elevated point. The horizon is positioned lower in the composition, allowing for a vast expanse of sky to dominate the image. Two figures are depicted working on an open field. In the distance, a large windmill stands prominently on the horizon to the right, its sails juxtaposing against the sky, while another windmill is visible even further back on the right edge. The brushstrokes in the sky are smooth and sweeping, creating billowing clouds. The overall color palette consists of grayscale tones, emphasizing contrasts and textures, giving the scene a somber yet timeless quality.
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The image is a black and white etching of a pastoral scene viewed from a slightly elevated point. The horizon is positioned lower in the composition, allowing for a vast expanse of sky to dominate the image. Two figures are depicted working on an open field. In the distance, a large windmill stands prominently on the horizon to the right, its sails juxtaposing against the sky, while another windmill is visible even further back on the right edge. The brushstrokes in the sky are smooth and sweeping, creating billowing clouds. The overall color palette consists of grayscale tones, emphasizing contrasts and textures, giving the scene a somber yet timeless quality.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Sussex Down

Frank Short, after John Constable

Date
1898
Medium
mezzotint in black on wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 14.29 × 25.4 cm (5 5/8 × 10 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.7647
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1876 to 1900
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • Landscape
  • Grass
  • Building
  • Figures
  • Cloud

NGA object ID 10445. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.