When painter Peter Harrap moved to Brighton two years ago, he was hoping to draw inspiration from his artistic hero John Constable.
Little did he know he had moved into the 19-century painter’s home.
It is well documented that the great landscape artist lived and worked for a period of his life in Brighton.
However, the exact whereabouts of his family home has been mystery for centuries.
That was until retired journalist – and former Argus employee – Shan Lancaster set about finding out.
She said: “When Peter moved in and I heard he was an artist, I went and told him about it.
“It was like someone had just switched a light on – he was stunned.”
Constable, who was born in Suffolk, lived in London with his wife Maria.
They moved to Sillwood Road, just off Western Road, Brighton, in 1824 because she hoped the sea air would help ease her TB.
Huge admirer
In the four years in which he lived in what was then the very edge of town, he enjoyed one of the most productive periods of his life and was said to have finished a painting every two hours.
Mr Harrap, 37, who is an internationally acclaimed artist himself, said: “I have always been a huge admirer of Constable but it was complete coincidence.
“I’m not one for superstition or anything, but yes, I do feel inspired by the house.
“When I’m painting I feel there is a certain standard I have to reach.”
The discovery was by no means straightforward.
Constable's loft
His neighbour Shan got a “bee in her bonnet” after a friend mentioned that the great artist had lived in the area.
She delved through local directories and deeds but found no mention of Sillwood Road.
Confusingly the road name and also the house numbers had changed over the years. But she followed the paper trail until finally she narrowed it down to number 11.
Although the exterior had been altered the inside, including Constable’s painting loft – which Peter uses today – remains intact.
Not only was the semi-detached the home of the famous painter, but it can also be argued that it was the birthplace of French Impressionism.
Pioneering painters
Eugene Delacroix was a huge admirer of Constable.
Following the Englishman’s death, Delacroix came to acquire his sketchbook which featured paintings of Brighton Beach.
He poured over it, studied it, made annotations and painted over the top of the originals.
Just years later French Impressionism was born – with Delacroix one of its pioneers.
The pair are now in the process of publishing their research with a blue plaque set to be installed in the summer.
They also hope to stage an exhibition in the city to celebrate the discovery.
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