Large 19th Century moonlit view of Glasgow Docks, Scotland, oil on canvas, attributed to John Atkinson Grimshaw. Excellent quality and condition view of the Docks at night illuminated by the moonlight as solitary figures roam the streets. Signed bottom right and presented in a good gilt frame.
Measurements: 30.5" x 22.5" framed approx
A self-taught artist, Grimshaw sought inspiration in his native Yorkshire. He worked as a railway clerk until 1861 when he gave up his job to concentrate on painting. At the beginning of his artistic career he came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, particularly fellow Leeds artist, John William Inchbold. Using photographs as visual aids, he painted detailed realist paintings of landscapes around Leeds and the Lake District using a fresh, crisp palette. In 1897 he began to paint industrial landscapes by moonlight. These atmospheric pieces were particularly successful and betray the influence of Whistler, from whom he rented a studio in Chelsea for two years. As he gained renown, he tried his hand at classical landscapes, society scenes with figures inspired by James Tissot, and fairy paintings such as Spirit of the Night and Iris: Her Autumnal Errand. He remained faithful, however, to the changing landscape of the North and spent the last few years of his life painting riverscapes and snow scenes.
Group Exhibitions
2005, A Picture of Britain, Tate Britain, London (an exhibition looking at six regions of Britain through the eyes of British artists)
2007, British Vision: Observation and Imagination 1750-1950, Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent
Solo Exhibitions
1967, Stone Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
1976, Alexander Gallery, London
1979, Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds (also presented at the Southampton Art Gallery and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool)
1990, 2003, Richard Green Gallery, London
Museum and Gallery Holdings
Bradford (Cartwright Hall): Fiamelta (1883, oil on canvas)
Harrogate (Mercer AG): Silver Moonlight (1880, oil on canvas); A Yorkshire Home (1878, oil on canvas)
Leeds (City AG): The Seal of the Covenant (1868, oil on canvas); Autumn Glory: The Old Mill (1869, oil on canvas); Tree Shadows on the Park Wall, Roundhay, Leeds (1872, oil on panel); In Peril (1879, oil on canvas); Nightfall down the Thames (1880, oil on canvas); Reflections on the Thames, Westminster (1880, oil on canvas); Leeds Bridge (1880, oil on canvas); Park Row, Leeds (1882, oil on canvas); Nightfall in Scarborough Harbour (1884, oil on canvas); Iris (1886, oil on canvas); Snow and Mist: Caprice in Yellow Minor (1892-1893, oil on canvas); Knostrop Cut, Leeds, Sunday Night(1893, oil/panel)
London (Tate Collection): Bowder Stone, Borrowdale (c. 1863-1868, oil on canvas); View of Heath Street by Night (1882, oil on panel); Liverpool Quay by Moonlight (1887, oil on canvas)
