View in Kensington Gardens

This small oil painting evokes a glorious summer day in Kensington Gardens. The artist viewed the scene from the path leading from Queen's Gate to Broad Walk. An avenue of elms can be seen in the background and the Round Pound is on the right. A number of figures populate the scene, including a man seated on a bench in the foreground. Kensington Gardens were laid out between 1726 and 1733, chiefly to designs by Charles Bridgeman.

Although Charles Sims ( 1873-1928) was born in Islington and based in London until 1906, he rarely painted London. Many of his works illustrate allegorical or religious themes, as well as visions of paradise. Although expelled from the Royal Academy Schools in 1895 he was elected RA in 1915 but his career became increasingly chequered after his eldest son died in combat and he took his own life in 1928.