Mr. Hobson of Markfield and Family c. 1806

John Constable sketched "Mr. Hobson of Markfield and Family" with graphite and ink on paper. Constable lived during a time of immense social and economic change in England. The Industrial Revolution was transforming class structures, while the Napoleonic Wars influenced political and social attitudes. In this context, Constable, son of a corn merchant, found success in landscape painting. "Mr. Hobson of Markfield and Family" offers insight into the domestic life of the English middle class. Gathered around a table, presumably at leisure, the family embodies the values of domesticity and social stability that were increasingly idealized during this period. The emotional atmosphere of the sketch is one of quiet sociability, with details such as the sleeping dog and the flower pot adding intimacy to the scene. While traditional representations of family often emphasize formality and hierarchy, here Constable opts for a more relaxed composition. This work invites us to consider how personal dynamics play out within the broader framework of social expectations.