John Atkinson Grimshaw - 1836 to 1893
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| Reflections on the Thames - John Atkinson Grimshaw |
I came across this painter a few months ago and was bowled over by his use of light. Even more intrigued by the fact that he came from Leeds. He had a humble beginning, as many painters do. His family were from the Baptist sect and his mother did not like him painting, turning off the gas in his room for a start. It reminded me of another Northern painter. L. S. Lowry, his mother told him to burn his paintings. Probably all down to prudishness and the fear of naked bodies.
What had suddenly struck me about Grimshaw was his nocturnal paintings especially about the park in Leeds reminding me of my own childhood, walking back in winter after school, and the lights picking up the puddles in the road. Grimshaw had captured exactly the mood of the moment - the feeling of emptiness.
James Abbot Mckneill Whistler said of Grimshaw - I considered myself the inventor of Nocturnes until I saw Grimmy's moonlight pictures. I never knew Whistler was an American, the two shared a studio at one stage.
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| Moonlit scene near Leeds - John Atkinson Grimshaw |
Grimshaw came from Leeds and his paintings rested on a method of projecting a scene onto a surface. It was called camera obscura. Grimshaw was self-taught, his draughtmanship failed as did his understanding of perspective but this method did not appeal to the critics of the time, I suppose they saw it as 'cheating' but his use of colour, lighting and shadow put him in another category altogether.
Also of course he painted scenes round Whitby which are also very evocative, a town dear to my heart, just for its general messiness and crowded streets of holidaymakers. Though in this instance I have chosen his Shipping on the Clyde.
Always click on the photo snaps because for some reason they become more distinct framed by black!
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| Shipping on the Clyde |
I am enjoying the book on his life, Andrew bought it recently, his family are also part of the Leeds scene and funnily enough the name Grimshaw came up on one of my friends on F/B. It was Lillie's friend, so perhaps I shall investigate the name ;)
I thought the second painting looked familiar - thanks to the search feature I found I'd included it in a December 2025 post about moonlight.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly knew how to catch the lights at night.
https://attheendofasuffolklane.blogspot.com/2025/12/december-full-moon.html
It is a surprise to come upon Grimshaw's work because so little is said of it Sue. I think he can be classed as a very fine painter even though he used a 'method' to achieve what he wanted.
DeleteSomehow, I missed your post from yesterday. Old photos are so good at bringing back happy memories.
ReplyDeleteI love the skies in Grimshaw's paintings here. That first one is my favorite.
I always mention my print of Whitby that I got several years back at a resale shop. Here's a link to the one that looks like mine. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wQAAAOSwCxtflHu6/s-l1600.jpg
I took the post off Ellen, it is only there for reference. The print of Whitby of the Market Hall it is still similar today. One of the problems when taking photos in Whitby is the very narrow lanes and the hordes of holiday makers.
DeleteBeautiful work! I'm not sure I've heard of Grimshaw. The Whistler exhibit I went to yesterday showed work by another of his contemporaries, Walter Greaves, who apparently also worked alongside Whistler as an assistant. I hope I come across some of Grimshaw's work when I'm out and about at art museums.
ReplyDeleteGrimshaw seems not to have such a fashionable character as Whistler, Greaves even less so. Greaves died very poor of pneumonia in a poorhouse. Unloved and unmarried as well.
DeleteVery evocative work, and all the more meaningful when you know the places he painted.
ReplyDeleteThey were in a different time and era though Janice but Grimshaw caught the mood of the moment effectually.
DeleteScarborough Art Gallery has a nice collection of his paintings. He had a house there, up on the cliffs, near the castle. His pictures are really atmospheric. They make you feel as if you should pull your coat closer around you and hurry home.
ReplyDeleteThey are stunning works and I'd never heard of him.
ReplyDelete