Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Grimshaw

November Moonlight by John Atkinson Grimshaw is an intriguingly subtle oil on canvas that depicts a hushed hopefulness that pervades this chilly, damp night.

The diffused light leaves us quietly expectant, yet unsure of its source.  The moist fog obscures the horse-drawn cart that moves away slowly from us down the wet street.  The weak moonlight filters through the bare trees and shines on the wall to our right.  The lights shine encouragingly from the windows beyond.

In spite of its austerity, this painting holds a silent promise of better times to come.

8 comments:

TACParent said...

This is actually what our morning looks like here. Just a drizzle, making it grey and damp. Perhaps the people being drawn by the horse are thinking, "Ah, we are almost to someplace warm and inviting." I see them enjoying taking the chill off maybe with a cup of tea.

Staying in Balance said...

Definitely! That's what our morning looks like up here too. I'm about ready to head over to get a cup of coffee before my next class.

Michele said...

oh autumn! well, thats a thing of the past now in calgary! we got a foot and a half of snow in the last 24 hrs, and its a complete disaster. 200 accidents yesterday, and even more today as the system worsened. buses sliding down hills, crashed everywhere, fortunately so far no fatalities. praise God! i even made a post abotu it. i loathe the rat race of living in calgary and a million plus people here. sigh..

Staying in Balance said...

Oh no, Michele! Can you hunker down and stay inside?

Anonymous said...

I love this piece. It reminds me of Dickens in a way.

Staying in Balance said...

Yes, it is rather Dickensonian, isn't it?

Barbara Schoeneberger said...

That painting has an "inner glow" that gives vitality to the subject. I feel as if I am in the painting myself.

Staying in Balance said...

It has a glow in spite of the rain.

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"Slavery ended in medieval Europe only because the church extended its sacraments to all slaves and then managed to impose a ban on the enslavement of Christians (and of Jews). Within the context of medieval Europe, that prohibition was effectively a rule of universal abolition. "— Rodney Stark

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