John Atkinson Grimshaw - Still Life

[Still Life of Birds Nest with Primulas and Blossom] 1869

Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 16,600 GBP

signed and dated l.r.: J A Grimshaw/ 1869
oil on board
51 by 35.5 cm., 20 by 14 in.

Grimshaw's earliest pictures were still lifes and they showed a love of nature suffused with a strong attention to detail. In his formative years he was influenced by John William Inchbold, a Leeds born artist, who painted in line with Pre-Raphaelite principles of exact rendering of nature. The present work shows a meticulous observation of nature with a bird's nest set around branches of primulas
and blossom. Grimshaw was to change his style in the 1870's moving away from the meticulous detail, high finish and bright colour and begin his moonlight compositions, which were to become synonymous with his name. However, his interest in nature was to remain and these early pictures are an important part of the artist's career.