In 2013 John Constable’s Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831, one of the greatest masterpieces of British art, was secured for the nation through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), The Manton Foundation and Tate Members.

The acquisition was part of a ground-breaking new partnership, Aspire, between five national and regional galleries:

• Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
• The National Galleries of Scotland
• Colchester and Ipswich Museums
• The Salisbury Museum
• Tate Britain

Aspire aims to enable audiences of all ages to enjoy and learn more about the work of John Constable by touring Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831 across the UK, supported by Art Fund, and by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Each partner displays the work in the context of their collection or location, accompanied by an inspiring programme of activities.

Constable’s Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831 was displayed, for the first time ever in Wales, at National Museum Cardiff, 6 March – 6 September 2014.

This was followed by a display in Constable Country in the Wolsey Art Gallery at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, 7 February 2015 – 31 January 2016.

In 2016 the work returned to Wales and was displayed at one of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’s partner venues Oriel y Parc, Pembrokeshire, before heading to Salisbury to be shown opposite the painting’s subject, Salisbury Cathedral, at The Salisbury Museum.

The painting was exhibited at the National Galleries Scotland (until 25 March 2018) and returned to Tate Britain in May 2018, where it can now be seen on display.

Find out how the Aspire project has unlocked the power and possibilities of national partnership.