The Hay Wain by John Constable

The stories behind The Hay Wain by John Constable, tone of the most famous paintings of the English countryside ever created, delving into what the it really represents. This seemingly simple, bucolic scene may look idyllic, but this canvas is really about one man's obstinate refusal to conform, a yearning for acceptance by his peers, family tragedy, and a blinkered refusal to see the harsh realities of rural life in early 19th-century England. As Constable's story heads to Paris, Andrew explains how this simple British scene would ultimately inspire a group of Frenchmen to give the world Impressionism.