John Constable and the Outdoors: Writing about Drawing

John Constable and the Outdoors: Writing about Drawing is a lecture presented in conjunction with the exhibition *On Location: Drawing the Outdoors*. Author and scholar Susan Owens will examine John Constable’s sketches, paintings, diaries, and letters to explore how the artist developed his creative practice and relationship with nature. In conversation with curator Joachim Homann, Owens will discuss drawing outdoors, close looking, and the relationship between sketching and writing.

The program is part of the Harvard Art Museums’ *In Conversation* series, which features local and international curators, artists, scholars, and other creative voices in programs connected to the museums’ exhibitions and collections. The lecture will be recorded, with an online viewing link expected to be posted shortly after the event.

When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Showtimes: 6:00–7:15 p.m.

Format: In person

Lineup: Susan Owens, author and scholar, in conversation with Joachim Homann, curator

Related exhibition: *On Location: Drawing the Outdoors*, featuring works by J. M. W. Turner, John Constable, Gustave Courbet, Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and many others. The exhibition is on view from September 18, 2026, through January 17, 2027.

Tickets: Free

Venue: Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Arrival: For evening programs, enter on the Broadway side of the building and proceed to Menschel Hall.

Parking: Limited free parking is available at Broadway Garage, 7 Felton Street.

Accessibility: To request accommodations, contact Visitor Services at am_register@harvard.edu or 617-495-9400. Further information is available through the museums’ accessibility resources.

Recording: The lecture will be recorded and made available for online viewing after the event.