“I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, — light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.”
John Constable was a painter with an enormous appreciation for “his own neighborhood.” During his life he painted so many scenes nearby his home in Dedham Vale, the area is often referred to as “Constable Country.” He was, in some senses, a shining example of how one can find peace and discern beauty through a degree of mindful attention.
I’d like to touch briefly on Constable’s “light, shade, and perspective” as elements which can make any form beautiful. Perhaps my interpretation of his words will help you frame your own ups and downs this week.
Light is another way of saying context. We often hear “in light of recent events” as a way of reinterpreting an experience or piece of news. Light helps us see more clearly, and it can illuminate details we may have overlooked.
Shade could be thought of as the element which lends depth. Complexity, nuance, and a little darkness can often aid us in valuing our gifts, appreciating what we have, or making memories even sweeter once circumstances have changed, or we’ve experienced a loss.
Finally, perspective is the grand unifier. Considering light, shade, form, and our disposition towards them, we get a handle on our own perspective. Is a home a money pit or an investment opportunity? Is the neighborhood prime for gentrification, or a center of urban blight? Questioning and shifting our perspective is often required to give us the energy or hope we need to keep going.
You may not be a fan of English Romantic landscapes, but I think Constable’s wisdom holds true: Let the form of an object be what it may. It is up to us to endow it with beauty.
(Image from Constable’s “Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop’s Grounds,” c. 1825.)
