J. Staats Forbes;
His sale, Christie's London, 14th June 1918, lot 48 (bt. Leggatt Brothers, £15.15.0, as "View of Helmingham Park");
Home sale, Hampton & Sons, Wormley, Hertfordshire, 27th-30th May 1940, lot 344 (bt. G.R. Stamp) 

STRUCTURE The picture is painted on paper, laid down on board, and is in good condition. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good, original condition. There are two small areas of old retouching in the sky, and there is a slightly discoloured varnish overall. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the report above and reveals a small number of scattered minor flecks of dirt. FRAME In a British Rococo revival gilded frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The distinctive elm tree t🔯hat appears on the right hand side in the present painting appears in two further known works by Constable (Victoria & Albert Museum) and identifies the location as Stratford St Mary, near East Bergholt. The tower of Sto♍ke Church (by Nayland) is visible on the hill beyond.

The view is taken across the lawn, from the back of West Lodge, the home of Mrs Sarah Roberts. The same scene, from a slightly different vantage point, is depicted in Constable's 1812 exhibition piece Summer Evening (V & A, no. 585-1888). The view is also repeated in a pencil study of East Bergholt b🥀y Constable dated 1815 (V&A D.232-1888).

In 1809 Mrs Roberts is recorded saying that she always thought of Constable when she saw the sun setting through her trees. In November 1811, Constable wrote to Maria Bicknell to say that a view of Mrs Robert's lawn, 'by the summer evening' has 'become quite a pet with me.' [i]

James Staats Forbes (1823-1904),an anglicised American, was one of the great connoisseurs of the latter part of the 19th century. His impressive collection, which enjo𓆏yed a considerable reputation, was famed for its many examples of the Barbizon school of mid-nineteenth-century romantic landscape painters, as well as earlier works. A selection of his pain🔯tings was exhibited at the Grafton Gallery in May 1905, and a smaller exhibition, of which a printed catalogue was produced, was held in July 1908 at the Brighton Library Art Gallery.

We are gratefu♔l to Graham Reynolds and Susan Morris for their assistance in the cataloguin🍨g of this painting.

[i] John Constable's Correspondence, edited by R B Beckett, 1962-8, Vol, II p. 54