Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Henry Lark I Pratt died in 1873; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1943.
In context
Boothen Mill, Stoke — Henry Lark I Pratt
The original measures 41 × 60 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 68 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Henry Lark I Pratt (1805–1873) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1852 Main working years: 1852–1860 Late works: from 1860
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/henry-lark-i-pratt-boothen-mill-stoke-AQS4VC-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Phthalo Green #2d1607
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 26 works by this artist, of which 6 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Henry Lark I Pratt (1805 – 1873) stands as a testament to the intersection of craft and artistic vision—a painter inextricably linked to the legacy of Derby’s porcelain industry. Born in St Peter's Parish, Derby, his early life was shaped by an apprenticeship at the prestigious Derby Manufactory, where he honed skills crucial not only for shaping clay but also for capturing its beauty on canvas. This formative experience instilled a meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of texture and form that would permeate his oeuvre.
Early Life & Training: Pratt’s dedication to mastering the craft began at a young age, providing him with invaluable insight into material properties and artistic representation. The Derby factory wasn't merely a workplace; it was an incubator for aesthetic sensibilities.
Career in Porcelain & Initial Artistic Pursuits: Following his apprenticeship, Pratt worked briefly at Mintons before embarking on a solo artistic journey. His marriage to Margaret Windsor solidified his life in Stoke-on-Trent and fostered a family rooted in the region’s artistic traditions.
Pratt's artistic style evolved significantly over time, transitioning from decorative porcelain painting to landscapes imbued with topographical accuracy. He found particular inspiration in Dovedale Valley, Derbyshire—a location that would become synonymous with his artistic output. The Duke of Devonshire and Queen Victoria recognized Pratt’s talent, commissioning him to depict Windsor Castle views, demonstrating the esteem in which he was held by Victorian society.
Notable Paintings & Patronage: His landscapes—characterized by meticulous observation and a commitment to realism—became celebrated for their evocative portrayal of the English countryside. Commissions from aristocratic patrons underscored his reputation as a respected artist.
Royal Recognition & Artistic Development: Pratt’s acceptance into the Royal Academy in 1867 and subsequent exhibitions with the Society of British Artists signaled a blossoming artistic career, fueled by an unwavering passion for capturing the essence of nature.
Pratt's paintings demonstrate a masterful command of oil paint—a medium favored for its ability to render subtle tonal variations and textural nuances. He meticulously blended pigments to achieve luminous effects, mirroring the delicate glaze surfaces of Derby porcelain. While biographical details remain somewhat sparse, Pratt’s artistic sensibilities clearly absorbed influences from Romantic landscape painting, prioritizing emotional resonance alongside precise topographical representation.
Derbyshire Landscape Tradition: Pratt's work aligns with Derbyshire’s burgeoning landscape tradition—a movement that sought to elevate rural vistas into subjects of artistic contemplation.
Today, Henry Lark I Pratt’s paintings reside in galleries across Newcastle-under-Lyme and Derby—testaments to his enduring contribution to British art history. His son, Hilton Pratt, continued the family artistic legacy, exhibiting his own work and cementing Pratt's place as a figure of considerable renown within his hometown.
Contemporary Exhibitions: Pratt’s paintings continue to inspire admiration for their beauty and technical skill—a lasting reminder of a Derbyshire artist who bridged the gap between craft and artistic expression.
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Look closely
Boothen Mill, Stoke — Henry Lark I Pratt
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The artist behind "Boothen Mill, Stoke" is Henry Lark I Pratt. The work is catalogued under Henry Lark I Pratt's name.
"Boothen Mill, Stoke" by Henry Lark I Pratt is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright duration runs from the artist's death, which occurred in 1873.
Overall, "Boothen Mill, Stoke" is recorded as balanced. Perceived brightness describes how light or dark the work appears.