An Autumn Idyll

While the title ‘An Autumn Idyll’ might suggest a rural scene, this painting shows an urban scene bathed in autumn light. Grimshaw, who was best-known for his scenes of urban landscapes, was living in Leeds when this painting was done. He was primarily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, and in that style he created scenes of accurate colour and lighting, vivid detail and realism. The lighting effects in this painting capture both the appearance and the mood of the scene, and Grimshaw is now considered one of the best and most accomplished nightscape and townscape artists of all time.