The artwork titled “In Peril (The Harbour Flare)” by John Atkinson Grimshaw, created in 1879 in the United Kingdom, is a striking example of Romanticism. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece measures 124.5 by 86.3 centimeters and depicts a dramatic cityscape.
The scene captures a moment of urgency and tension at a harbour under moonlit skies. The composition is dominated by a turbulent seascape to the right, where waves crash against the pier. The left side features a bright, flaring fire, likely a signal or beacon, casting a warm glow on the surrounding figures and structures. The cobblestone ground, soaked and reflective, adds to the moody and dark atmosphere. The weathered pier, along with the figures of people, suggest a mix of concern and activity, further emphasizing the perilous situation that the title hints at. The moonlight piercing through the dense clouds completes the image with an ethereal quality, typical of the Romanticism movement.
