John Constable's cello to be played for first time in 100 years

A cello owned by landscape painter John Constable will be played publicly for the first time in a century following restoration. The instrument was made in 1802 by John Dunthorne Sr, Constable's neighbor and mentor, who was a plumber, glazier, carpenter, painter, and instrument maker. Constable likely played the cello in a local band in East Bergholt, Suffolk. The cello entered the Ipswich Collection in 1942 and was badly restored in 1926, rendering it unplayable. The Friends of Ipswich Museum raised over £4,000 for restoration, carried out by James and Sylvie Fawcett. Cellist Melanie Woodcock has been playing it during restoration and will perform at a public event on June 10, alongside readings by author Susan Owens. The instrument will be displayed at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich from June 17 to October 4 as part of the Constable 250 festival, marking the 250th anniversary of Constable's birth. Constable, known for masterpieces like The Hay Wain, was also a keen musician. The year 1802 was significant for him: he wrote about becoming a "natural painter" and had his first work accepted at the Royal Academy. Dunthorne, who died in 1844, is remembered as a self-taught artist and instrument maker worthy of recognition beyond Constable's story.