Whitby Harbor by Moonlight 

John Atkinson Grimshaw painted Whitby Harbour by Moonlight with oils on canvas. A closer look reveals how the qualities of oil paint itself – its viscosity and translucence – are crucial to the image. Grimshaw built up layer upon layer of thin glazes, using a technique developed in the Renaissance. He carefully recorded the effects of moonlight reflecting on surfaces. Take note of how the glistening wetness of the stone quay is rendered as well as the damp atmosphere. This was a laborious process. Although he had the option of using photography to reproduce such scenes, Grimshaw chose painting. His work romanticized the modern industrial city. The rise of manufacturing provided both his subject matter, and also the market for his output. Ultimately, the artist’s skilled labor enabled him to transform gritty urban scenes into haunting, poetic images. Considering the making of such paintings can help us appreciate the artistry involved, and the social context that gave rise to it.