OIL PAINTING: The Old Hall Under Moonlight, 1882
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. Grimshaw was briefly in the orbit of the
Pre-Raphaelite movement painting landscapes in a minute and carefully detailed style - The Old Hall Under Moonlight is a fine example. Twilight Later he 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. Grimshaw 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.