Ben Nicholson (1894-1982)

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As one of our best-known abstract artists, Ben Nicholson was a pivotal figure of 20th-century British art. Born into an artistic family in Denham, Buckinghamshire, his father was the renowned painter Sir William Nicholson, and Ben’s early education at the Slade School of Fine Art in London was brief but formative. He was a contemporary of notable artists such as Paul Nash and Stanley Spencer, but his time at Slade was more about social connections than formal training.

His career can be divided into several phases, each marked by significant personal and artistic developments. Initially, Nicholson’s work was primarily figurative, with scenes and objects presented in a naturalistic style. However, his exposure to cubism and the works of Picasso and Braque during a visit to Paris in 1921, profoundly impacted his artistic direction. We see this in the depiction of the decorative mug and jug in lot 1, from circa 1928. This encounter with cubism led Nicholson to experiment with abstraction, a path he would follow for the rest of his career.

^{Portrait of Ben Nicholson, 1932 (b/w photo), Laib, Paul (1869-1958) / The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) / © de Laszlo Foundation / Courtesy of The Witt Library / The Courtauld / Bridgeman Images}

Nicholson’s oeuvre is often overshadowed by his paintings and reliefs, but his works on paper reveal a delicate side to his artistic talent. Sworders are pleased to present five drawings and an etching in this sale. His pencil drawings are characterised by their precision and simplicity, capturing the essence of his subjects with minimal lines and subtle shading. The still lifes and landscapes on offer showcase his ability to reduce complex displays into their most basic elements.

Nicholson’s 1960s works (lots 2-5) are not merely preparatory sketches but stand-alone works of art. They reflect his deep understanding of form and composition, honed through years of experimentation with different styles and techniques.

^{▲ Ben Nicholson OM (1894-1982), 'Kos' (£7,000-10,000)}

Throughout his career, Nicholson remained committed to exploring new forms of expression. He didn’t focus on printmaking until after establishing his practice in oil painting and carved reliefs, starting with drypoints between 1947 and 1957, and then etching again between 1965 and 1968 following his move to Switzerland. Many of his prints focus on subjects found on his travels there, in Italy and Greece, and lot 6 - ‘Ronco’, named after the Swiss village he lived in - can be viewed as influenced by both still life and landscapes.

With their understated elegance, Ben Nicholson’s drawings and prints are a testament to his enduring quest for artistic innovation as he was constantly pushing the boundaries of his craft. Alongside recognisable landscapes and landmarks, his drawings capture the quiet beauty of ordinary objects, elevating them to the realm of art.

Tuesday 15 April | 10am

pictures@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

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