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In the Golden Mists of Autumn by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Blea tarn at first light, Langdale pikes in the distance by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Reflections on the Thames, Westminster by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Salthouse Dock, Liverpool, 1884 by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Whitby Harbor by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Twilight, The Vegetable Garden by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Landscape with a winding river by John Atkinson Grimshaw
The Rector's Garden, Queen of the Lilies by John Atkinson Grimshaw
A Dead Linnet by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Canny Glasgow by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Colwith Force by John Atkinson Grimshaw
Iris by John Atkinson Grimshaw

Where to See John Atkinson Grimshaw

32 museums worldwide

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About John Atkinson Grimshaw

British · 1836–1893
  • Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
  • Victorian painting

Painted Victorian cities at night in rain and moonlight so well that Whistler said he had invented nocturnes first.

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Portrait of John Atkinson Grimshaw
Museums32
Countries3
Largest reported holdingLeeds Art Gallery, Leeds · 16 recorded works
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Where to see John Atkinson Grimshaw

Collection holdings are reported here; current display varies. Check with each museum before visiting.

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John Atkinson Grimshaw prints

Hand-finished archival prints from John Atkinson Grimshaw's body of work.

Canny Glasgow - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster Canny Glasgow - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £28.00 Humber Docks, Hull - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster Humber Docks, Hull - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £28.00 Blackman Street, London - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster Blackman Street, London - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £28.00 Dido - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster Dido - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £28.00 The Thames Below London Bridge - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster The Thames Below London Bridge - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £28.00 In the winter - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster In the winter - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £37.00 The Trysting Tree - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster The Trysting Tree - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £37.00 Reekie, Glasgow - John Atkinson Grimshaw - Poster Reekie, Glasgow - John Atkinson Grimshaw From £37.00

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I see John Atkinson Grimshaw's work?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw's work can be found in several public collections. In London, his painting *Nightfall down the Thames* is held by the British Museum. Other London galleries with works by Grimshaw include the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Outside of London, you can find Grimshaw's paintings at the Towneley Hall Art Gallery in Burnley, Lancashire; the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff; the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh; the Burrell Collection in Glasgow; the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery in St Helier; and the Leeds City Art Gallery. There are also several museums outside the UK that hold his work. These include the Rijksmuseum Kréller-Müller in Otterlo, Netherlands; the Museum Boymans-van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands; the Nasjonalgalleriet in Oslo, Norway; the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon, Portugal; the Muzeul de Arta in Craiova, Romania; the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia; and the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.
  • Where are John Atkinson Grimshaw paintings?
    One of John Atkinson Grimshaw's paintings, Nightfall down the Thames, is located in the British Museum in London.
  • Where did John Atkinson Grimshaw live?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw lived in Knostrop Old Hall, a manor house outside Leeds. The house appears in several of his paintings.
  • Where can I see John Atkinson Grimshaw paintings?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw's works can be seen at Leeds Art Gallery, Kirklees Museums and Galleries, Grundy Art Gallery, and 2 other museums worldwide.
  • What should I know about John Atkinson Grimshaw's prints?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw's prints were not as common as those of some of his contemporaries. Prints connected to the Pre-Raphaelite movement were often reproductive, photographed from paintings, and issued in sepia. The English Picture Publishing Co. published some in 1877, including *The English Boy* (a portrait of Oliver Madox Brown) and *Romeo and Juliet*. These were signed by the artist. The Medici Society later issued a large colour print of Brown’s religious subject, *Christ Washing St Peter’s Feet*, in a limited edition of 500 copies in 1914. However, these were considered poor-quality photographic reproductions. Prints were expected to be large enough to fill a wall and were often framed. Publishers sometimes used appealing titles to attract buyers, and they borrowed titles from popular works. The Printsellers’ Association, which had 126 firms in 1894, indicates the demand for prints during this period. The artist usually decides to limit an edition. Each print in a limited edition is marked with the edition number, the title, and the artist's signature, typically in pencil.
  • Why are John Atkinson Grimshaw's works important today?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893) is remembered today for his nocturnal townscapes, often featuring moonlight. He had a particular interest in the River Thames; his paintings often depict night scenes with a full moon dominating the riverscape. Grimshaw's works appeal to contemporary audiences due to their distinctive style. He captured the atmosphere of Victorian England, particularly its urban environments, in a way that continues to resonate. His contemporary, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, also painted nocturnal scenes. Whistler is reported to have said he thought he had invented the nocturne until he saw Grimshaw's moonlights. The influence of Dutch art was strongly felt in the eighteenth century. Dutch painters of the Golden Age had a seminal influence on the development of English painting in the following century, first in watercolour and then in oils. The art of Constable and even Turner owes them a considerable debt.
  • Who is John Atkinson Grimshaw?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw is best known for night townscapes, often lit by bright moonlight. His work features a reflection of light on the water.
  • What techniques or materials did John Atkinson Grimshaw use?
    John Atkinson Grimshaw is known for his atmospheric paintings, particularly his nocturnal city scenes. Information about his specific techniques and materials is scarce, but we can infer some practices from the period. Like many artists of his time, Grimshaw likely began with sketches. He would have used commercially primed canvases, which became widely available in white during the mid-19th century. Some artists favoured white grounds to lend luminosity to their oil paintings. For colours, Grimshaw probably used a range of pigments available at the time. The Pre-Raphaelites, who influenced many artists, often employed a wet white ground to achieve delicate colouration and tone. This involved applying transparent colours over a fresh white ground, allowing the underlayer to subtly blend with the upper tints. It is probable that Grimshaw experimented with different brushes and application methods to achieve his distinctive style, characterised by smooth surfaces and careful attention to light and shadow.

Sources

Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of John Atkinson Grimshaw's works across the following collections.

  1. [1] museum Mercer Art Gallery Used for: museum holdings.
  2. [2] museum Bradford Museums and Galleries Used for: museum holdings.
  3. [3] museum Harris Museum Used for: museum holdings.
  4. [4] museum Guildhall Art Gallery Used for: museum holdings.
  5. [5] museum Laing Art Gallery Used for: museum holdings.
  6. [6] museum Museum of Fine Arts Boston Used for: museum holdings.
  7. [7] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
  8. [8] book Colin Harrison; Luke Herrmann; Joseph Mallord William Turner; Ashmolean Museum, Colin Harrison; Luke Herrmann; Joseph Mallord William Turner; Ashmolean Museum - J.M.W. Turner (Watercolors and Drawings) (Ashmolean Handbooks) Used for: biography.
  9. [9] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography.

Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-09-30. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.

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