William Nicholson (artist)
Encyclopedia
Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson (5 February 1872 – 16 May 1949) was an English painter
of still-life, landscape and portraits, also known for his work as a wood-engraver, illustrator
, author
of children's books
and designer for the theatre.
, an industrialist and Conservative MP of Newark
and his wife Annie Elizabeth Prior, the daughter of Joseph Prior and Elizabeth (née Mallam) of Woodstock, Oxon. He was educated at Magnus, where he was coached by an art-master who had ben a pupil of Sir William Beechey. He was briefly a student at Hubert von Herkomer
's art school, where he met James Pryde
; and afterwards at Julian's in Paris.
In 1893 he married James Pryde's sister, the artist Mabel Pryde
(1871-1918), with whom he would have four children - Ben
(1894–1982); Anthony (1897–1918) who was killed in action during the First World War; Annie Mary "Nancy"
(1899–1978), and Christopher "Kit"
(1904–1948).
From 1893 to 1898 he collaborated with James Pryde in designing posters. Their partnership was conspicuous for striking graphical work and woodcuts—they were known as the Beggarstaff Brothers, and their poster work was significant historically.
After 1900 he concentrated on painting, encouraged by Whistler. He first exhibited as a painter at the International Society, of which Whistler was President.
In 1904 he designed the original settings for Peter Pan
, and went on to design other plays and to illustrate several books.
Nicholson was involved in illustrating early books by Robert Graves
, with Nancy, Graves' first wife. He wrote and illustrated characteristic children's books: The Velveteen Rabbit
(1922) by Margery Williams
and his own Clever Bill (1926) and The Pirate Twins (1929) for Faber & Faber. He also designed stained glass
, notably a memorial window at St Andrew's Church, Mells
.
Nicholson was knighted in 1936.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of still-life, landscape and portraits, also known for his work as a wood-engraver, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of children's books
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
and designer for the theatre.
Biography
Nicholson was the son of William Newzam NicholsonWilliam Newzam Nicholson
William Newzam Nicholson was an English Conservative Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1885.Nicholson was the son of Benjamin Nicholson of Newark and his wife Frances Newzam, daughter of John Newzam of Newark. He was educated at the Magnus Grammar School at Newark and...
, an industrialist and Conservative MP of Newark
Newark (UK Parliament constituency)
Newark is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Since 1885, it has elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
and his wife Annie Elizabeth Prior, the daughter of Joseph Prior and Elizabeth (née Mallam) of Woodstock, Oxon. He was educated at Magnus, where he was coached by an art-master who had ben a pupil of Sir William Beechey. He was briefly a student at Hubert von Herkomer
Hubert von Herkomer
Sir Hubert von Herkomer , British painter of German descent. He was also a pioneering film-director and a composer. Though a very successful portraitist, especially of men, he is mainly remembered for his earlier works that took a realistic approach to the conditions of life of the poor...
's art school, where he met James Pryde
James Pryde
James Pryde was a Scottish artist who worked mainly in graphics. He was a painter of architectural fantasies and interiors, a lithographer and designer of posters.-Early years:...
; and afterwards at Julian's in Paris.
In 1893 he married James Pryde's sister, the artist Mabel Pryde
Mabel Pryde
Mabel Pryde was an artist, best known for being the wife of artist William Nicholson and mother of artists Ben Nicholson and Nancy Nicholson and the architect Christopher 'Kit' Nicholson....
(1871-1918), with whom he would have four children - Ben
Ben Nicholson
Benjamin Lauder "Ben" Nicholson, OM was a British painter of abstract compositions , landscape and still-life.-Background and Training:...
(1894–1982); Anthony (1897–1918) who was killed in action during the First World War; Annie Mary "Nancy"
Nancy Nicholson
Nancy Nicholson was a British painter and fabric designer.Born Annie Mary Pryde Nicholson, she was the only daughter of the artists Sir William Nicholson and Mabel Pryde. She had three brothers, sculptor Ben Nicholson, architect Christopher Nicholson and Anthony, who was killed in action in 1918...
(1899–1978), and Christopher "Kit"
Christopher Nicholson
Christopher Nicholson was a leading British architect and designer of the early Modern Movement in Britain. His most notable works of the 1930s were comparable to the advanced modern abstract style of his older brother, the artist Ben Nicholson, OM, .-Early life and education:The son of artists...
(1904–1948).
From 1893 to 1898 he collaborated with James Pryde in designing posters. Their partnership was conspicuous for striking graphical work and woodcuts—they were known as the Beggarstaff Brothers, and their poster work was significant historically.
After 1900 he concentrated on painting, encouraged by Whistler. He first exhibited as a painter at the International Society, of which Whistler was President.
In 1904 he designed the original settings for Peter Pan
Peter and Wendy
Peter and Wendy, published in 1911, is the novelisation by J. M. Barrie of his most famous play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up...
, and went on to design other plays and to illustrate several books.
Nicholson was involved in illustrating early books by Robert Graves
Robert Graves
Robert von Ranke Graves 24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985 was an English poet, translator and novelist. During his long life he produced more than 140 works...
, with Nancy, Graves' first wife. He wrote and illustrated characteristic children's books: The Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real is a children's novel written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real through the love of his owner. The book was first published in 1922 and has been republished...
(1922) by Margery Williams
Margery Williams
Margery Williams Bianco was an English-American author, primarily of popular children's books. A professional writer since the age of nineteen, she achieved lasting fame at forty-one with the 1922 publication of the classic that is her best-known work, The Velveteen Rabbit.-Early life and writing...
and his own Clever Bill (1926) and The Pirate Twins (1929) for Faber & Faber. He also designed stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
, notably a memorial window at St Andrew's Church, Mells
St Andrew's Church, Mells
St Andrew's Church is a notable Church of England parish church located in the village of Mells in the English county of Somerset. The church is a grade I listed building.-History:...
.
Nicholson was knighted in 1936.