John Constable's 'Flatford Mill' by jamibann

John Constable's 'Flatford Mill'

We have owned this picture for 30+ years. It was previously in my parents' house and also in my grandparents' house. I believe that my grandparents bought it at a farm roup (an auction sale), where they bought many things in those days.

I quite like it, but I've never thought about it much. However, it's taken on a new meaning for me since dad's birthday 'party' on Sunday last week.

After everyone had gone home, dad was sitting looking at it, hanging in our lounge, when he suddenly blurted out that when he was a little boy, he thought that the picture was a painting of him and his favourite horse, Bob. He thought it was painted from a scene very close to his home in Midmar. He described the shape of the water, and the path alongside. It was so lovely to hear this 90-year old 'tough' man tell you of his childhood thoughts. It somehow made him appear more vulnerable and even dearer to me than he already is.

I took the picture outside to photograph it, as I couldn't get a shot inside without reflections on the glass.
Lovely
October 4th, 2023  
Oh what a lovely story.
October 4th, 2023  
How lovely and story
October 4th, 2023  
So delightful your dad shared this happy memory...
October 4th, 2023  
Sweet picture and story to go with it!
October 4th, 2023  
a wonderful story and great memories of your dad.
October 4th, 2023  
How very lovely for you to hear these stories. My Dad passed aged 56 and I never got chance to ask him about his childhood.
October 4th, 2023  
How wonderful
October 4th, 2023  
A lovely story.
October 4th, 2023  
A heart warming beautiful story, you have a very special painting on your wall.
I like to think it’s your dad and bob…. Truly lovely to read. 🤩
October 4th, 2023  
For a man your dads age to talk about something like that would be really lovely…..he would be more vulnerable & dear. Your dads generation find it hard to appear as they would think ‘soft’ but in fact it does the opposite & you would feel much closer to him. A special picture indeed to bring him past memories!
October 4th, 2023  
A lovely memory for you to cherish
October 4th, 2023  
Delightful story!
October 4th, 2023  
It's the old memories that can stick with us.
October 4th, 2023  
Lovely - How lovely to hear your father reminiscing and painting (in words) his obviously fond memories of his horse Bob.
October 4th, 2023  
Such a wonderful story! A beautiful family souvenir.
October 4th, 2023  
what a wonderful story Issi
October 4th, 2023  
Lovely story!
October 4th, 2023  
A great painting and story!
October 5th, 2023  
Tom
What wonderful story and photo. Always love your stories
October 5th, 2023  
What a wonderful way to get him to talk about his life.
October 5th, 2023  
What a sweet story- although it's a great piece of art, it now has even more value because of its connection to your Dad.
October 5th, 2023  
Nice capture. Lovely story about the painting.
October 5th, 2023  
Love this story and the painting!
October 5th, 2023  
Lovely story
October 5th, 2023  
This painting is not to my taste but I would gladly exhibit it if it had been in the family that long. Such a wonderful story!
October 5th, 2023  
That story would indeed make the picture rather special. It is very familiar to me also as I am sure the print hangs in lots of living rooms.
October 6th, 2023  
Having shared interesting stories of your father's life in the past, I can well-imagine how dear he is to you and this picture is another family tie to make if come more alive!
October 7th, 2023  
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