“Stop and enjoy this peaceful 19th-century view of Ely Cathedral, painted by Henry Baines, an artist more often associated with stained glass. It offers a charming look at daily life and the iconic architecture of Cambridgeshire.”
This painting offers a serene glimpse of Ely Cathedral, its magnificent structure dominating the distant horizon. The viewpoint, likely from St Mary's Street, places us among the everyday life of the town, with figures strolling along a tree-lined path in the foreground. The sky, a soft expanse of blues and whites, suggests a calm day, reflecting gently on the tranquil waters that lead the eye towards the cathedral. While Henry Baines is primarily known for his work in stained glass, this oil painting demonstrates his keen eye for architectural detail and atmospheric perspective, capturing the distinctive character of the Cambridgeshire landscape in 1857. It reminds us that even artists working in specialized crafts often explored other mediums to express their vision of the world around them.
- Artist
- Henry Baines
- Date
- 1857
- Location
- Stained Glass Museum
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
The distinctive octagon tower of Ely Cathedral in the distance.
Small figures enjoying a leisurely walk on the path in the foreground.
The gentle reflections on the water, mirroring the sky above.
The subtle variations in the green foliage of the trees lining the path.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through A View of Ely, Cambridgeshire, from St Mary's Street — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Henry Baines
1823–1894 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandHenry Baines, an English painter active in the 19th century, captured scenes like "Milton Dictating to His Daughter."
Further Works by Baines
More works to explore
Beyond Baines: works from the same years.
Same era · 1840s–1870s
The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1855 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1840s–1870s
The Backgammon Players
Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1840s–1870s
The Sheepshearers
Jean-François Millet · 1857 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Lion Hunt
Eugène Delacroix · 1858 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Woman in a Riding Habit (L'Amazone)
Gustave Courbet · 1856 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Birches
William Hart · 1855 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Young Spartan Girls Challenging Boys
Edgar Degas · 1860 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1825–1860), Princesse de Broglie
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres · 1853 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Olive Trees
Vincent van Gogh · 1853 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1840s–1870s
A Sketch
Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1862 · Hispanic Society of America
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Alfred Sisley
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1864 · Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection
Same era · 1840s–1870s
Beggar with Oysters (Philosopher)
Édouard Manet · 1864 · Art Institute of Chicago