JOHN ATKINSON GRIMSHAW (1836-1893)

This composition, featuring the Glasgow docks (probably Broomielaw Street), was one that Grimshaw revisited many times during his artistic career. The artist successfully developed his urban night scenes in this setting through the employment of strong contrasts; the lights from the shops create depth, whilst casting the figures and the ships' masts into darkness. This painting is particularly atmospheric, as the artist has carefully painted in the clock face and the shop windows but left other elements of the architecture more sketch-like, evoking a haunting quality.