Who painted Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2.?

Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2. was painted by George Baxter in 1852.

Where can I see Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2.?

Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2. is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2.?

Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2. is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2.

George Baxter , 1852

Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2. is a print by the Impressionist artist George Baxter. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1852 Baxter-process print, titled *Gems of the Great Exhibition, No.

About this work

Overview

This 1852 Baxter-process print, titled *Gems of the Great Exhibition, No. 2*, presents a panoramic view of the Belgian pavilion at the 1851 Great Exhibition. The composition is organized beneath a domed ceiling, bordered by an ornate gold frame, and includes three sculptural groups set on green plinths.

Subject & Meaning

The image records the interior of a exhibition hall where marble statues—human figures and animals rendered in white—are displayed on pedestals. Visitors in period dress move through the space, observing the works and conversing, illustrating the public’s engagement with art and industry during the event.

Technique & Style

Created using the Baxter printing process, the work combines fine line work with rich color washes to convey the hall’s architectural details, such as the metal‑supported ceiling, red walls, and gilded patterns. The print’s precise rendering reflects mid‑nineteenth‑century documentary aesthetics rather than the loose brushwork associated with later Impressionism.

History & Provenance

Produced shortly after the 1851 exhibition, the print was part of a series documenting the various national departments. It was likely distributed to visitors and collectors interested in visual records of the fair, and it remains a primary source for scholars studying the exhibition’s layout and presentation.

Context

The Great Exhibition in London was a landmark event showcasing industrial and artistic achievements from around the world. Belgium’s contribution, highlighted here, emphasized its sculptural heritage and the integration of decorative arts within a modern exhibition setting.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Baxter

George Baxter (1804–1867) was an English artist and printer based in London. He is credited with the invention of commercially viable colour printing. Though colour printing had been developed in China centuries before,…