For the Love of Light

Posted on by Victoria

I’ve had light on my mind lately related to morning routines and the impact that light – or the absence of it – has on my life. I’m picky and I know it about the quality of light in my personal spaces and I will steer clear of overly lit rooms that are squint-worthy. (See my recent Victoria Ponders post – Me & Mariah for a chuckle with notes of seriousness about seasonal transitions.)

Poets and philosophers bring wisdom about the potency of morning light. Rumi, for example, with a powerful quote about dawn that I wrote about recently. An ode to early risers:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.

But today? I have an ancestral twist. Maybe. From a painterly point of view, on hubby Paul’s side of the family. I don’t know the exact genealogical connection between Paul’s branch of the Atkinson brood, but we’re curious to dig in to see if the painter, John Atkinson Grimshaw might be a distant cousin of some sort. A project to tackle…as I’m inspired by my blogging friend Jane Fritz and her remarkable discoveries about her family and her husband’s.

I have a vague recollection of learning about Atkinson Grimshaw’s work in an art history class long before I ever met Paul…or any members of his Atkinson family. What I recall? Atkinson Grimshaw’s legacy of light, moonlight in particular and the renown he claims, 131 years after his death.

The accolade “painter of light” is a compliment bestowed on artists who possess magic. The ability to capture the most ephemeral and fleeting quality of sunlight, moonlight, streetlight, shadows in a scene. Monet, Turner, Magritte, Parrish, Wyeth? Take your pick. Christie’s has a beautiful article (with images) about the transformational aspects of light. Luminism – as a stylized form of American art mesmerizes me.

“With its focus on luminous effects and meticulous rendering of natural scenes, Luminism stands as a testament to the transcendentalist ideals of harmony between humanity and the natural world.”

If you’re curious, here’s a delightful – and short – video about Atkinson Grimshaw. I was enchanted as I watched, remembering the only photo we have of my Paul’s paternal grandfather, and I began ransacking family pics to find it. It might just be my eyes, but I’m still struck by the resemblance. I don’t have a date (yet) for the photo of Atkinson Grimshaw – on the left (he lived from 1836-1893) but the photo on the right – of Paul’s grandfather – was taken in 1913 when he was thirty-seven years old.

Peeking into family history is hypnotic. After I watched the video and found the photo of Paul’s grandfather, I indulged and spent an unencumbered hour viewing Atkinson Grimshaw’s paintings from the Leeds Museum. I found it difficult to pick a favorite. See what I mean?

Discoveries about light and love and painterly magic fill me up and I’m grateful to Jane Fritz and other writer friends who share a love of family history. I know for sure it’s why I write. To peek into the past and leave a trail for the future. For the love of light and family.

Vicki 💕

Revealing brilliance: a history of artists who transformed light and atmosphere with paint | Christie’s (christies.com)

Luminism – A Captivating Moment in American Art (artincontext.org)

Photo credits:  Art UK. John Atkinson Grimshaw

26 thoughts on “For the Love of Light”

  1. Even though you might not be related to him, Rembrandt’s use of light and shade, as well as the Dutch school of his time, are second to none. Glad you got some joy out of searching the family archives!

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  2. Oh, what a wonderful, following the light and threads post! I love, “To peek into the past and leave a trail for the future. For the love of light and family.” I loved that you spent an hour looking at his paintings and then shared them with us. Absolutely beautiful!

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  3. What a wonderful trek down a couple of avenues. It sounds like you had a great time exploring. Family history and art are both topics that naturally take off in different directions. How nice yours intersected. (And for what it’s worth, my favorite in “In the Golden Olden Times.”)

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  4. I love how painters use light or the lack of light to showcase feeling. Wish we had that power as writers! As for me, I love natural light. I’m crazy about it. I would open every curtain and turn on every light if I could. I suspect it’s a natural reaction to our house as a kid. Ha ha

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  5. I do see the resemblance. Are you going to do more research to see if the artist is a relative? My husband has a great uncle, Lawrence Hinkley, who was a Plein Air artist. Plein Air is a style of painting outdoors that uses natural light. We are fortunate to have a few Hinkley paintings in our home. There’s a historical society that moved his home and paintings onto their site. We finally stopped on our Santa Barbara trip in 2023 to explore. My husband remembered so many paintings and the furniture from his childhood.

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    1. Oh my…what a beautiful connection for your husband…and to own some of Hinkley’s work! I do think I’ll dig in a little to see if there is a connection in the Atkinson family tree. Family history is fascinating, isn’t it!? Thanks, Elizabeth! 🥰

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      1. Family history is so interesting. When we went to the historical society, we got a heroes welcome. Then when they found out my husband’s great aunt married Lawrence Hinkley, the docents seemed disappointed my husband was not a blood relative, but related through marriage. 😅

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  6. Neat that Paul might be related to this painter! I’d never heard of the painter before reading your post. And what artwork! His capture of moonlight is incredible. Good luck with your research as you seek to find a connection between him and Paul. 🌝

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  7. Beautiful paintings, Vicki, that captures that magical healing feeling of light. It’s so nice to trace your family history, through Paul’s side, and discover the richness of stories that preceded you. Think of the light you’re leaving for future generations too!

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  8. like you, I love the early morning light. these paintings are beautiful and I can see why you were drawn in by them. what a wonderful artist he was, and I hope that he is a relative !

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  9. Light is so beguiling, in art, photography, filmmaking. It mesmerizes and sets the scene, yet can be difficult to capture.
    It’s not just your eyes, I see the resemblance too. What fun it would be to uncover the family connection. Beautiful post!

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