Hyde Park in 1851
The artwork is a print, specifically a hand-colored steel engraving on paper, mounted within a period-style frame. • Original painting by James D. Harding; engraved by J.B. Allen. Published as part of the 'Great Exhibition' commemorative series.
Style & Movement
Victorian Realism / Topographical Landscape. The style emphasizes atmospheric perspective and social documentation typical of mid-19th-century British art.
Medium & Technique
Steel engraving with delicate hand-tinted watercolor accents. The technique involves fine incised lines on a metal plate to produce high-detail depictions of crowds and landscape elements, characteristic of mid-Victorian commercial printing.
Creation Period
Circa 1851-1860 (Mid-Victorian era).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 18 inches (visual image size); landscape format.
Subject Description
The scene depicts a large social gathering in London's Hyde Park during the Great Exhibition of 1851. In the background, the outlines of the Crystal Palace are visible. The foreground features groups of diverse Victorian figures sitting on the grass, lounging, and socializing, capturing the festive atmosphere of the 'Great World's Fair.'
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The print appears well-preserved under glass, though it shows characteristic signs of age-related toning.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a Victorian domestic collection or a commemorative album sold during the Great Exhibition. Present indicators include the printed title 'HYDE PARK IN 1851' at the bottom margin.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a contemporary visual record of the 1851 Great Exhibition, the first in a series of World's Fairs. It documents Victorian leisure habits and the architectural impact of Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace on the London landscape.
Notable Features
Features the printed credit 'J. D. HARDING, PINXT' (left) and 'J. B. ALLEN, SCULPT' (right) below the image border, confirming its origin from the collaboration between the famous landscape painter James Duffield Harding and the skilled engraver James Baylis Allen.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (small brown age spots) in the sky area and margins. Possible 'mat burn' (discoloration along the edges from acidic matting materials) and slight fading of the hand-applied pigments due to UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-matting with acid-free museum-grade materials and replacing the glass with UV-protective museum glass. Avoid hanging in direct sunlight to prevent further fading of watercolor tints.