The Close, Salisbury

The Close, Salisbury, painted on 15 July 1829 and held at the V&A, captures the precinct surrounding Salisbury Cathedral during one of Constable’s visits to his friend Archdeacon Fisher. The medieval buildings and garden walls of the Close provided a quieter complement to the dramatic cathedral views. The 1829 date places this in the difficult period after Maria’s death, when Constable increasingly sought comfort in familiar landscapes and trusted friendships.

The Close is rendered with careful attention to the specific character of its architecture and trees. Warm summer light models the stone buildings while deep shadows under the lime trees provide tonal contrast and compositional structure.

This dated Salisbury study from July 1829 is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The painting records a visit to the cathedral Close during one of Constable's later trips to Salisbury. The small oil has been stabilized and cleaned. The summer light effects are well-preserved. The work documents both the physical setting and Constable's personal connection to Salisbury through his friendship with the Fisher family.