Works by Thomas William Grimshaw

Descriptions of other paintings from newspaper articles and Auction Houses

Portrait of Thomas Walker, solicitor and Chairman of the York Poor Union.
The painting was as a testimonial on the retirement of their esteemed and respected chairman and is full length
7ft 10in by 4ft 10in.
Information from Northampton Mercury (taken from an article in the Yorkshire Gazette) 30th March 1844.   

Portrait of “Rev. Foster of Sawley, seated and holding a book”
Information from  Hartley Auctioneers, Ilkley, Lot 937 sold 18th August 1999.

Oil on canvas    127cms x 101cms,    half length

Portrait of two children  of Mr Fretwell of Gainsborough, one on a shaggy pony.
The picture was on private view at Messrs. Taylor’ Glover & Co., Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa.
Information from an article in the Leamington Spa Courier, dated 27th May 1848.

Landscape “They are Coming”
Shown at the British Institute Exhibition between 1853 and 1864.

Portrait “The Favoured Galloway”
Shown at the British Institute Exhibition between 1853 and 1864.

Portrait “My First Lesson”
Shown at the British Institute Exhibition between 1853 and 1864.

Picture  exhibited at Mr Henry  Moseley Gallery, in the Corn Market, Derby.
The large painting  includes two children, a Shetland Pony and a hound.
Information from  the Derby Mercury dated 7th February 1855.

Painting “The Meet Near Roseberry Topping”
Exhibited at Mr Sampson’s Gallery, 18 Coney Street, York.  The painting  shows a member of the Cleveland Hunt  on the morning of the meet mounted on a chestnut mare. The huntsman, hounds and several members of the hunt are grouped in the distance, beyond which rises the Cleveland Hills.
Information from the Yorkshire Gazette 26th November 1859.

Portrait of ” Family Favourites”
Exhibited at Messrs. Newton Brothers, Park Lane, Leeds.
Information from an article in The Leeds Times 3rd May 1862.

Group painting includes a lady, and child,  a horse and two favourite dogs happily grouped together.
The painting is on view at the Assembly Room of the George Hotel, Northampton.
Information from the Northampton Mercury 31st January 1863. A similar article appears in the Northampton Herald  18th February 1863, taken from the Derby Mercury and mentions Mr Grimshaw has been recently been honoured with commissions from the Hon. E.W.K Coke.

Painting “Pale Ale”
The horse was ridden by the Prince of Wales on a visit to the Earl Spencer, at Althorp. The horse is represented as waiting, with Palmer, the groom, on his back, at the meet at Holdenby, the arrival of his Royal Highness.
Information from Northampton Mercury 18th April 1863.

Lithograph in stone of a portrait of John Clare
Donated to St Sepulchre’s Bazaar, Northampton by Thomas Grimshaw.
Information from the Northampton Mercury 5th December 1863.

Picture of Major Robinson of the Leeds Volunteer Rifles
On view at Broadhead’s Gallery, Albion Street, Leeds. The background is occupied by the Rifle Parade Ground and the tower of the Town Hall.
Information from Northampton Mercury 21st January 1865.

Two Pictures in which the goat forms the principal object
On view at Mr Dorman’s Northampton. The larger picture which illustrates a passage from the 104th Psalm, v,18″ The hills are a refuge for the wild goats, and so are the stony rocks for the conies”.
Information from the Northampton Mercury 14th October 1865.

Portrait of a horse
Belonging to Mr Henry Boden, Derby.
On display in Derby.
Information from the Northampton Mercury 16th February 1867, taken from the Derby Mercury 30th January 1867.

Portrait of a horse
Belonging to Mr Walter Boden, Derby.
On display in Derby.
Information from the Northampton Mercury 16th February 1867, taken from the Derby Mercury 30th January 1867.

Picture of landscape, foliage, portraiture and animals
For Dr German, Derby.
Information from the Derby Mercury 30th January 1867.

Photograph, a black and white image of a painting dated 1845 labelled Emily Bronte.
Most experts have concluded that the original painting from which the photograph was taken could not be painted by Thomas Grimshaw, as he never lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire. However recent research shows Thomas’s father and mother moved into the West Riding in the period 1835 to 1837 taking over the running of The Wool Pack Inn, Dewsbury Moor.

In the year 1838 Thomas father and mother, John and Sarah, changed employment and became Master and Matron of the Calverley Workhouse. This brought them into direct contact with people in the surrounding areas, such as vicars who would bring destitute people for safety in the workhouse.

Thomas Grimshaw never married and would have lived with his family and had  a proven method of working. Each year he would set out to visit a town for “the season” as stated in many newspaper articles. Each time he uses the same methods to inform the local community that he is available for commissions. Thomas takes with him one or two sampler paintings and  displays them in a prominent position in an art gallery, shop or public building. Then he asks a local reporter  to view the painting and give a detailed description in an article in the local newspaper. Thomas remains in the town until commissions  cease and then return home to the family. He is known to have rented  houses in Derby, Northampton, Leeds, London and Leamington Spa on several occasions. In the period 1850 and beyond 1860 he is known to be based in York listed on the census forms with his parents.

We will probably never know if Thomas Grimshaw painted the portrait of Emily Bronte, but the Grimshaw family did live in that vicinity.