John Atkinson Grimshaw (English, 1836-1893), Stapleton Park, Near Pontrefact

Oil on board, 1878, signed and dated at lower right, inscribed to verso, retaining gallery label to verso, presented in a later gilt composition frame.

Board 11 x 17 in.; Frame dimensions 15 1/2 x 21 5/8 in.

From the Collection of the late Melisande W. King, Eastbourne, Sussex, England

Eastbourne Fine Art, Eastbourne, Sussex, England (with receipt dated August 18, 1970)

John Atkinson Grimshaw was a self-taught English painter known for his atmospheric evening and nighttime cityscapes. Born in Leeds, he worked as a clerk for the Great Northern Railway before becoming a full-time artist in 1861. Influenced early on by the Pre-Raphaelites, he developed a precise, detailed approach to painting that he applied to quiet streets, docks, and suburban roads illuminated by moonlight or gas lamps. His careful handling of light and shadow made his urban scenes distinctive and immediately recognizable.

During the 1870s and 1880s Grimshaw earned a strong reputation for his views of London, Liverpool, Glasgow, and his native Leeds, as well as for his more rural landscapes. Though he produced some classical and literary subjects, he is best remembered for his realistic and carefully constructed nocturnal scenes. Today his work is held in major museums and private collections and is valued for its clear, disciplined technique and its memorable depiction of Victorian urban life.

Light surface grime; no evidence of retouch visible under UV light; loss to gilding and lettering on gallery plaque.