View of Salisbury Cathedral (by John Constable) Card

This design features a painting by the celebrated English artist John Constable (1776–1837). It shows a view of Salisbury Cathedral (formally named the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary), which is an impressive Anglican cathedral located in Salisbury, England. The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Salisbury, and it is the seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. The cathedral is regarded as one of the leading examples of Early English Gothic architecture. The spire was built in 1320, but the main body of the cathedral was completed over 38 years, from 1220 to 1258. The cathedral's spire has been the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom since 1561. The original artwork was painted by John Constable circa 1823, and the view of the cathedral is seen from the Bishop's grounds. There are cattle grazing on the grass and by a small stream of water in front of the cathedral. There is also an elegantly dressed couple walking down a path towards the cathedral: the young man is pointing towards the building as he talks to the lady. Another woman with a parasol can be seen more distantly beside the foliage.