Grimshaw cityscape bought for Leeds
- Leeds Art Gallery
- 28 January 2013
A watercolour painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw showing Leeds in the mid-19th century has been returned to the city after more than 30 years.
John Atkinson Grimshaw, View of Leeds from Woodhouse Ridge, 1868
,Leeds Museums and Galleries Collection
View of Leeds from Woodhouse Ridge shows the city as seen from nearby Woodhouse in 1868. It is an early example of the Victorian city landscapes that the Leeds-born artist would become famous for, placing nature and industry in close proximity.
The painting hasn't been seen in Leeds since 1979, but will now go on permanent display at Leeds Art Gallery with help from the Art Fund. Grimshaw produced few watercolours, and the view of Leeds will join two others in the Leeds museums and galleries collection.
Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar said "There can be no better place to house this significant work by Grimshaw, a distinguished local artist, than Leeds Art Gallery. We were so please to be able to help Leeds Art Gallery secure this fine work at auction."
The painting was secured through grants totalling £31,000 from the Art Fund, Leeds City Council, the V&A Museum Purchase Grant Fund, Leeds Art Fund, Friends of Leeds City Museums, Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society and the Richard Green Gallery.