John Constable: Toward a Complete Chronology. - Reed College

1825 Jan 5 Letter from J.C. in London to John Fisher: "I could not spare
any Brighton book—and your sisters have borrowed ('for a
friend') such of my sketch-books as you have not had. . . . I
have enclosed in the box a dozen of my Brighton oil sketches.
. . they were done in the lid of my box on my knees as usual.
. . . I miss the books you have—one a good size—& the other
small, a view of Oxford Bridge on the first page—Is it not so?
. . . I am writing this hasty scrawl [in the] dark before a six
foot canvas—which I have just launched with all my usual
anxieties. It is a canal scene—my next will contain a scratch
with my pen of the subject." (JCC VI, pp. 189-90; see also
JCC II, p. 372)
1825 Jan 20 Sets off for Shortts Place, Woodmansterne, to execute a
commission for the Lamberts. (JCC II, p. 372)
1825 Jan 20 Arrival in London of letter from John Arrowsmith in Paris to
J.C. in Woodmansterne, where it reached him on the 22nd:
"you were comprized for a gold medal. . . . Mr. Schroth will
leave in two or three days." (JCC IV, p. 195; see also JCC II,
p. 374, JC: FDC, p. 330 and JCC I, pp. 217-18)
1825 Jan 21 Letter, presumably written 21 January, postmarked London
22nd January, from J.C. in Woodmansterne to Maria in
London: "We have commenced operations and a very nice
little group is formed. . . . The children are to be in a group by
themselves and Mr. Lambert as a usual size three quarters.
He will sit to me in London & all my time can be given now to
the little group. It is to consist of the two boys, donkey and
the little girl upon it. . . . My little group is much liked. I am
painting it on the large canvas having just made a little
sketch in oil. I will do as much as I possibly can now not to
stay too long." J.C. includes two sketches, one of them pen
and ink, of the portrait group, children and donkey. (JCC II,
pp. 372-74; see also JCC IV, p. 266)
1825 Jan 22 Letter from Maria in London to J.C. in Woodmansterne,
accompanying the first proof of the Lock. (JCC II, p. 374;
see also JCC IV, pp. 84, 266 and JC: FDC, p. 205).
1825 Jan 23 Letter from J.C. in Woodmansterne to John Fisher: "I am
painting a little family group of three children and a donky,
the grandchildren of Mr. Lambert. . . . The large subject now