Cathy's Art Diary

Interesting online lecture from the Wallace Collection looking at the artist William Nicholson and his influence on the art of Winston Churchill. Simon Martin,   director of Pallant House Gallery, which recently had an exhibition on Nicholson, led us through his life and art. I had seen the show and loved I so it was interesting to be reminded of it. Talked us through his early print work, his portraits and landscapes and his wonderful still-lives. Given the lecture was put on to mark the Wallace Collection’s Churchill show I would have liked to know a bit more about the connection. They met in 1933 when Nicholson was commissioned to paint a portrait of Churchill and his wife and in subsequent years Nicholson is known to have visited Chartwell, Churchill’s home on at least 10 occasions and they were known to paint side by side. Churchill referred to Nicholson as his Cher Maître or Dear Master.

Charming exhibition at Pallant House Gallery on the life and work of William Nicholson. The show ran roughly chronologically which also meant it fell into a series of themes from his early graphic work, through his theatrical designs and onto his wonderful still-lives. There was also a good selection of his tender portraits and calming landscapes. The show blended his life and work well noting his relationship with his son Ben. A nice touch was to include portraits of William by his two wives who were also artists, Mabel Pryde and Edith Stuart Wortley. I also loved the addition of a dress made for Edie from material designed by William. I think the stunning still-lives were my favourite pieces in particular those which showed off his ability to paint shining surfaces. Closes 10 May 2026 Reviews Times Telegraph

Lovely exhibition at The Grange in Rottingdean looking at the life and work of William Nicholson. The show was in a house in which Nicholson had lived and was a good mix of prints, paintings and ephemera. The first gallery highlighted his graphic work - woodcuts and illustrations from the earliest Beggarstaff period, through his famous woodcut series, to his later book designs. I am fond of his woodcuts and part own a copy of “O is an Ostler”. All the sets were represented here. I’d not realised he had done book illustration as well including the first edition of “The Velveteen Rabbit” and theatrical costume designs.   The other gallery looked at his paintings - portraits, landscapes and still life – including his earliest known painting Blenheim Bridge. They had also borrowed the famous red boots (Miss Simpson’s Boots) that appear in the world record setting still life that recently sold in Christie’s. I’d not been to this gallery before so can I recommend it. In this sh...