A Sluice, perhaps on the Stour

This late work from 1830-36 depicts a sluice gate, possibly on the River Stour, returning to the water-management infrastructure that had been central to his art since the 1810s. In Constable's late years, these familiar subjects were invested with new emotional intensity, as he revisited the landscapes of his youth through the lens of personal loss and artistic maturity. The sluice, controlling the flow of water, carries metaphorical weight about the passage of time.

Dark, rich tones and heavy paint application characterize this late work. The water is painted with thick, directional strokes suggesting movement and force, while the surrounding vegetation is rendered in deep, almost black greens.

This late study from the 1830s is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The painting's loose handling is characteristic of Constable's final years. The canvas has been stabilized and cleaned. The water passages remain among the best-preserved areas. Some areas of dark tonality have been improved through cleaning. The work documents Constable's continued engagement with the Stour Valley subject matter even in his late period.