Artists

Ben Nicholson

British 1894 - 1982

Ben Nicholson, born on 10 April 1894, played a significant role in the development of abstract art in Britain, creating a distinctive style that embraces both still-life compositions to geometric abstraction. His work is characterised by its precision, subtle colour palettes, and the exploration of form and space.

Nicholson’s early paintings were influenced by Post-Impressionism and Cubism, reflecting the impact of artists like Cézanne and Picasso. Over time, he moved toward abstraction, developing relief paintings - wooden panels with carved, painted, and layered elements. These works, often in muted whites and earth tones, demonstrate a refined simplicity and a deep engagement with texture and composition. His still-life compositions frequently featured everyday objects like cups, bottles, and bowls, arranged with geometric precision. Even in his most abstract works, the echoes of still-life arrangements remained.

How Did Ben Nicholson Paint?

Nicholson’s painting methods were meticulous and deliberate. He often worked in a restrained colour palette, layering forms and playing with depth to create striking compositions. His still-life paintings maintained a strong sense of structure, reflecting his deep understanding of spatial relationships.

As he transitioned into relief work, Nicholson experimented with carving into wooden panels, creating subtle tonal variations through the interplay of light and shadow. His technique was influenced by his exposure to European modernism and his interactions with artists like Mondrian. The shift to white-on-white reliefs in the 1930s was a defining moment, emphasising structure and form over colour. Nicholson interest in the physicality of the painting itself continued even when his work because semi figurative in the 1950s - 60s, where he would deliberately scratch and score the surfaces of the works.

Ben Nicholson Art Auction Estimates

Find out how much your Ben Nicholson artwork could sell for at auction. Contact our auction team for a complimentary valuation.

Add a Lot Alert

Try our lot alert service. If a forthcoming lot matches your search criteria you'll get an email with the lot details.

Ben Nicholson and St Ives

Nicholson became deeply associated with St Ives, a small coastal town in Cornwall, which became a hub for modernist artists in the 20th century. He first visited St Ives in the 1920s where he discovered the Niafe works of fishermen turned painter Alfred Wallis. Nicholson then moved to St Ives in 1939. St Ives provided him with a fresh perspective, and the light and landscape influenced his evolving aesthetic. He lived in various locations in St Ives, including Carbis Bay. His presence, alongside artists like Barbara Hepworth and Naum Gabo helped shape the presence of the St Ives school as a centre for British modernism to rival London. He remained in St Ives until 1958 when he relocated to Ticino Switzerland, where he befriended artists such as Julius Bissier and Italo Valenti and started producing print with La Franca.

Ben Nicholson’s Personal Life

Nicholson was born into an artistic family. His father, William Nicholson, a well renowned painter of the Edwardian period, and his mother, Mabel Pryde, was also an artist. His upbringing immersed him in the arts from an early age, and he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. However, he rejected traditional academic training in favor of self-directed exploration.

Nicholson was married twice, both times to prominent artists, first to Winifred Nicholson and later to Barbara Hepworth. He had three children: Jake, Andrew, and Kate Nicholson, the latter of whom became an artist. His personal life was deeply intertwined with his artistic development, as both of his marriages significantly influenced his work.

Ben Nicholson and Winifred Nicholson

Nicholson married artist Winifred Roberts in 1920 and their relationship was marked by artistic collaboration. They travelled extensively, particularly in France and Italy, where they were exposed to European modernist movements, before settling in Bankshead, Cumbria, where they created a hub for modernist experimentation in both life and art. Together, they explored colour, light, and form, influencing each other’s work profoundly. However, their marriage ended in 1938 when Nicholson became involved with Barbara Hepworth. Despite their separation, Winifred and Ben remained on good terms and continued to support each other’s artistic careers.

Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth

Nicholson’s relationship with sculptor Barbara Hepworth began in the 1930s, and they married in 1938. Their artistic partnership was dynamic, as they shared a commitment to modernist principles. Living and working together, they influenced each other’s creative processes, with Nicholson’s abstract reliefs complementing Hepworth’s sculptural forms.

The couple moved to St Ives during World War II, where they became central figures in the town’s artistic community. However, their marriage ended in 1951, though their professional respect for each other remained.

"What I am searching for is neither the real nor the unreal, but rather the subconscious, the instinctive, the unknown."

- Ben Nicholson

Ben Nicholson’s Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, Nicholson continued to produce work, refining his approach to abstraction. He moved to Switzerland in 1958, seeking new inspiration and a change of environment. His legacy as a leading figure in British modernism endures, with his works held in major collections worldwide, including Tate in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago. His paintings and reliefs command high prices at auction, with April 57 (Arbia 2) achieving a record 3.8 million pounds in 2016. His drawings and prints also remain highly valued, with prices ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Ben Nicholson passed away on February 06, 1982, in London at the age of 87. His contributions to modernist art remain profound, and his works continue to be celebrated for their elegance, precision, and timeless quality.