Tomb Of John Constable And Family And Attached Railings In St Johns Churchyard

The tomb of John Constable and his family, along with attached railings, is located in St John's Churchyard. This chest tomb, which sits above a brick vault, dates from the death of Constable's wife in 1828 and was restored in 1976. It is made of marble and has a rectangular shape on a stepped base. The tomb features clasping pilasters with incised enrichment and is inscribed on the north, east, and west sides in memory of John Constable, the painter, his wife Maria Elizabeth, and their seven children. Surrounding the tomb are attached cast-iron railings with urn finials. Historically, Constable rented summer lodgings in Hampstead starting in 1819 and established a permanent residence there in 1827 until his death in 1837. The high grade of this listing reflects Constable's importance to English painting and the significance of Hampstead and its heath in his work.