Constable painting helps boost mansion visitor numbers

Visitor numbers at Ipswich’s historic Christchurch Mansion have been boosted by the arrival of a John Constable masterpiece.

Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831 went on show earlier this month and will remain on display until January 31 next year.

The painting, which is being exhibited in the mansion’s Wolsey Art Gallery, helped to attract almost 1,400 visitors during half-term week, with many attending special workshops based on the East Bergholt born artist.

Meanwhile, visitors to the museum in High Street soared to 4,600 over five days, with the 1,000 mark broken on three successive days.

Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council’s head of culture and leisure, said: “These are very encouraging attendance figures and shows that the Constable exhibition is attracting people to the mansion.

“Our workshops at both museums are helping us to reach out to a younger audience and help them learn about Ipswich’s fantastic heritage and art collection.”

Ipswich is already home to the most significant collection of works by Constable him outside London.

The new display is part of Aspire, a partnership programme enabling audiences of all ages to enjoy and learn more about Constable’s work. Aspire is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund.