Tell me a bio of John Atkinson Grimshaw.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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John Atkinson Grimshaw was a British artist, primarily known for his landscapes and cityscapes, particularly in the Victorian era. He was born on September 20, 1836, in Leeds, England, to a family of modest means.

**Early Life and Training**

Grimshaw's early life was marked by poverty and hardship. His father, a painter and decorator, struggled to make ends meet, and the family often relied on charity to survive. Despite these challenges, Grimshaw's father encouraged his artistic talents from an early age. Grimshaw began his artistic training at the age of 14, working as an apprentice to a local artist, Henry Spencer.

**Career**

Grimshaw's career as an artist spanned over four decades, during which he developed a unique style that blended realism with romanticism. He was particularly drawn to the depiction of urban landscapes, often focusing on the atmospheric effects of light and shadow. Grimshaw's work was heavily influenced by the Impressionist movement, and he was one of the first British artists to adopt this style.

**Achievements**

Grimshaw's achievements as an artist are numerous:

1. **Exhibition History**: Grimshaw's work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Manchester Art Gallery, and the Leeds Art Gallery, among others.
2. **Commissioned Works**: Grimshaw received several commissions from wealthy patrons, including the Earl of Harewood and the Duke of Devonshire.
3. **Innovative Techniques**: Grimshaw was known for his innovative use of glazing techniques, which allowed him to achieve a sense of depth and luminosity in his paintings.
4. **Influence on Other Artists**: Grimshaw's work influenced a generation of British artists, including the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

**Impact**

Grimshaw's impact on the art world is significant:

1. **Establishing the Victorian Era's Landscape Tradition**: Grimshaw's work helped establish the landscape tradition in Victorian-era Britain, paving the way for future generations of artists.
2. **Influence on Impressionism**: Grimshaw's adoption of Impressionist techniques and his emphasis on light and color helped introduce these ideas to British art.
3. **Preserving Urban Landscapes**: Grimshaw's depictions of urban landscapes helped preserve the memory of these environments, which were rapidly changing during the Industrial Revolution.

**Personal Life**

Grimshaw married his wife, Elizabeth, in 1861, and they had six children together. He was known to be a kind and generous person, often donating his time and skills to local charities.

**Legacy**

John Atkinson Grimshaw passed away on October 13, 1893, at the age of 57. His legacy as a British artist continues to be celebrated, with his work held in high esteem by art historians and collectors alike.
John Atkinson Grimshaw was a British artist, born on October 10, 1836, in Leeds, England. He was the only surviving child of a fustian cutter, and his family struggled financially. Grimshaw received his initial training in painting from John Sell Cotman, a well-known watercolorist. 

Grimshaw primarily focused on landscape and genre paintings. His major works often depicted vivid and dreamlike urban scenes at night, particularly the street lamps of 19th-century Britain. His application of light and dark made his works impactful and unique.

The young artist started selling his art pieces by the time he was 16, first at a small gallery in Leeds and eventually at the Liverpool Academy of Arts. Grimshaw's talent caught the attention of several prominent art critics, including Ruskin John, and Grimshaw's work can be seen as highly influential in his time.

Throughout his career, Grimshaw showed a significant interest in genre and landscape painting and this brought him the attention and admiration of many. The success he achieved in his lifetime pushed him to explore the wider world outside the limitations of England, leading him to visit and paint some of the places in the US.