Episode 2, Series 3 of this fascinating series looking behind the scenes at the V&A in London, sees the team travelling all the way down to my studio in Devon to learn about the centuries old art of mezzotint. Curator Katharine Martin is cataloguing and studying John Constable’s landscape mezzotints for an exhibition of his late work in 2024 and wants to better understand the mysteries of mezzotint. Later, I make the return trip to London to examine one print in particular – Autumnal Sunset. With the cameras rolling in the V&A’s elegant study room, we looked at the print its various proof stages, through to the published print, making a surprising discovery along the way. Constable worked with a young engraver called David Lucas to make the series and the relationship between the two men through their letters is most touching. It was a fascinating and hugely educational few days and I hope will make interesting viewing for anyone interested in printmaking, or Constable or indeed the history of English Landscape.
