Constable, 'The Hay Wain', 1821. London, The National Gallery.

'The Hay Wain' is a National Icon

When John Constable painted his Suffolk landscape in 1821, no one could have predicted it would be declared a national treasure 185 years later. Its iconic status has now been confirmed, as 'ICONS - A Portrait of England' announces its second wave of national icons.

The new list of twenty-one, that includes 'The Hay Wain', is chosen from the nominations of thousands of people from across England and around the globe, and is another step in the creation of an online collection that provides a snapshot of the life of the nation in the 21st century.

The ICONS project launched in January 2006 and is funded by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The project aims to help us all to explore, enjoy and celebrate our cultural treasures more, and to encourage visits to galleries and museums.

'The Hay Wain' is Constable's most famous painting, and one of the most popular images of the English countryside. Last year, it was voted second place (behind Turner's 'Fighting Temeraire') in a national poll to find the Greatest Painting in Britain. This latest nomination confirms its status as a true national treasure.

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