John Constable was an English landscape painter in the early 19th century who found inspiration in the landscapes and skies of rural England. He believed painting was a scientific pursuit and carefully studied nature. While he aimed to capture realistic scenes, his work also included symbolic and romantic elements like rainbows. Some aspects of his grand landscape paintings featuring religious buildings and skies with dramatic clouds have led scholars to debate whether he should also be considered a romantic painter. Constable felt a deep connection to the countryside around his hometown and sought to express his feelings about nature through his artwork.