What you are looking at
A horse-drawn hay cart stands in a shallow river beside a cottage, under big summer clouds, with fields in sunlight beyond.
Why it is famous
Constable painted the countryside where he grew up, on the River Stour in Suffolk, and the cottage belonged to a local farmer, Willy Lott. It was not much admired in England at first but won a gold medal at the Paris Salon of 1824.
How big is The Hay Wain?
The Hay Wain measures 130.2 × 185.4 cm (51.3 × 73.0 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 6 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is in the National Gallery in London, which is free to enter.
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Also at The National Gallery
SunflowersVincent van Gogh, 1888 LondonFrequently asked questions
Who painted The Hay Wain?
John Constable painted The Hay Wain in 1821.
Where is The Hay Wain?
The Hay Wain is in The National Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
How big is The Hay Wain?
130.2 × 185.4 cm (51.3 × 73.0 in). Its surface is about 6 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is The Hay Wain made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q2366825; Wikipedia, "The Hay Wain". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.