Museums

The Cabbage Patch is the work of local self-taught artist John Gilbert Donley (1886-1959). Donley was a founding member of Northampton Town and County Art Society and the museum is home to many of his works. 

This landscape is one of several works by the artist that show his small holding at Dallington Grange. The Donley family lived in a cottage at Dallington Grange until 1930 and then moved to Ivy Road in Northampton. Donley was a keen market gardener, and continued to work the land after the family moved, supplying produce that they sold from their house and also selling vegetables from his cart pulled by ‘Blackie’ their horse. 

Captured in his depictions of the small holding is his enthusiasm and love for growing vegetables. There is an expression of pride and enjoyment expressed in his works as well as an understanding of farming and gardening.   

Agricultural crops like the mangolds, cabbages and also Brussels sprouts were most commonly grown by Donley at Dallington Grange. His paintings highlight the importance of weather like sun for these crops to grow.