Grimshaw John Atkinson

Born on 06 September 1836: John Atkinson Grimshaw, British painter who died on 31 October 1893.


Known as the painter of moonlight, Grimshaw established his career on the basis of careful detailing of nature, looking at still life and woodland scenes. He was briefly in the orbit of the Pre-Raphaelite movement painting landscapes in a minute and carefully detailed style.

Twilight Later turned to his trademark twilight or night scenes set in suburban lanes, dockside venues, the river bank of the Thames or London city streets and those of the northern towns. In mid career he chose to imitate the figure paintings and style of Laurence Alma-Tadema and James Tissot with his settings of ancient Rome or the domestic interiors of the modern home. He also turned to myths and legends to indulge his love of poetry and the romantic stories of Camelot. In his last years Grimshaw painted sparsely detailed beach scenes and river estuaries, ending his life with a series of poignant snow scenes.