Artist's beautiful painting is a classic seasonal masterpiece

For centuries, artists across the world have tried to capture the spirit and beauty of the changing seasons in their work.

And few have done it better than Leeds-born painter John Atkinson Grimshaw, whose work is currently on display at Leeds City Museum.

The world-famous artist, known for his stunning landscapes and accurate colour and lighting, painted this particularly eye-catching scene, entitled Autumn Glory: The Old Mill, in 1869.

The painting depicts the titular mill peeping through the trees of a colourful autumnal woodland scene and, like most of Grimshaw’s work, is notable for its vivid detail, realism and seasonal theme.

Autumn Glory can currently be seen in Leeds City Museum’s special exhibitions gallery as part of For All Seasons, a free exhibition which explores the changing seasons and their influence on the world around us.

Ruth Martin, Leeds City Museum’s curator of exhibitions, said: “The way Grimshaw was able to capture the essence of the different seasons in such extraordinary detail is remarkable, and probably one of the reasons his paintings have remained so popular across different generations.

“The changing seasons have been a major influence on some of history’s most famous artists for hundreds of years, which speaks volumes about both their beauty and their power to inspire.”

A number of Grimshaw’s paintings are on display as part of the exhibition, on loan from Leeds Art Gallery while it is closed for refurbishment.

Other exhibits include vintage fashions, wildlife, some 100 year-old decorative Easter eggs, and delicate ceramics.

It also features a series of imaginative centrepieces including a giant sandcastle, indoor tree, traditional sledge and hook-a-duck pond.

And the exhibition is accompanied by specially-recorded classical piano sheet music from the museum’s collection.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said:

“The seasons, and the profound effect they have on the world, have been an inspiration to some of history’s most celebrated artists, sculptors, composers and musicians and it’s wonderful that the museum will be celebrating this in such an interactive and accessible way.”

For All Seasons runs until August 28. For more details about the exhibition and the programme of activities, please visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/Seasons.aspx

ENDS