Who painted Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate)?

Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate) was painted by Francis Seymour Haden in 1859.

Where can I see Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate)?

Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate)?

Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate)

Francis Seymour Haden , 1859

Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate) is a print by the Impressionist artist Francis Seymour Haden. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Francis Seymour Haden’s print Kensington Gardens, No. 1 (Small Plate) was produced in 1859. Executed as an intaglio work, it is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image captures a wintery park scene, rendered in a compact format suitable for close viewing.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a narrow park lane bordered by leaf‑stripped trees whose gnarled branches arch overhead. A muted, columned building emerges in the background, partially obscured by a fence, suggesting a quiet, perhaps private, garden space within the larger Kensington Gardens.

Technique & Style

Haden employs strong, dense black lines to delineate the trees and ground, creating a pronounced contrast between illuminated and shadowed areas. This chiaroscuro effect gives the foliage a sculptural quality, a method characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century printmaking that emphasizes tonal depth over fine detail.

History & Provenance

Created during Haden’s early career, the small plate reflects his interest in landscape etching. The work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (date of acquisition not specified), where it remains on view as an example of Victorian print practice.