Ben Nicholson Paintings
British, 1894-1982
Ben Nicholson, one of Britain’s most influential modernist painters, was the son of renowned artist William Nicholson. His early career was shaped by extensive travels during the 1920s with his first wife, Winifred Roberts, living between Cumberland, London, Paris, and Switzerland. Initially experimenting with a post-Cézanne style, Nicholson later embraced a more consciously "primitive" approach to landscape painting in 1927, influenced by his encounter with the work of Alfred Wallis. Between 1931 and 1939, while living in London, Nicholson became closely associated with leading artists and critics such as Henry Moore, John Piper, Naum Gabo, and Herbert Read. Encounters with European modernists, including Hans Arp, Constantin Brâncuși, Piet Mondrian, and Jean Hélion, profoundly shaped his artistic direction. By the late 1930s, he had developed the highly abstract style for which he is best known.
In 1931, Nicholson met sculptor Barbara Hepworth, who would become his second wife. During World War II, they relocated to St Ives with Gabo and Adrian Stokes, contributing to the town’s emergence as a centre for modernist art. By the 1950s and 1960s, Nicholson had gained an international reputation, his work celebrated for its purity of form and pioneering abstraction.
Following the war, he lived in London, Cambridge, and Switzerland at various times. In later years, he married for a third time, to photographer Felicitas Vogler, continuing to refine his artistic vision until his death in 1982.to
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Creator: Ben Nicholson
Ronco
By Ben Nicholson
Located in London, GB
Ben Nicholson (British 1894 - 1982)
Ronco
Ink and wash on board
1981
Size: 59cm high, 64cm wide - 23¼ ins high, 25¼ ins wide
Frame: 67cm high, 73cm wide - 26½ ins high, 28¾ ins w...
Category
1980s British Vintage Ben Nicholson Paintings
Materials
Wood
$66,000
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Overview
This exceptional Baroque portrait artwork, the circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller, is an oil on canvas painting from the early 18th century. The painting, laid onto a panel, represents a compelling historical piece linked to Mrs. Voss, who was active circa 1685-1690 and recognized as the mistress of Sir Godfrey Kneller and the mother of Catherine (Agnes) Huckle.
Key Details: Sir Godfrey Kneller, Mrs Voss and Catherine Kneller oil canvas
Medium: Oil on paper, laid onto panel
Period: Early 18th century
Condition: Unframed oil panel
Dimensions: Height - 28 inches, Width - 34 inches
Historical Connection: A larger version of this artwork is held in the Kingston Lacy Estate, Dorset
Artist Influence: Connected to the circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller, one of the most influential portrait artists of the Baroque period.
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About Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)
Sir Godfrey Kneller (born Gottfried Kniller) was a renowned Baroque portrait painter of Anglo-German descent, widely considered one of the greatest portraitists of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His influence on English portraiture was significant, and his works remain highly collectable today.
1. Early Life and Training
Birth: August 8, 1646, Lübeck, Germany
Parents: Zacharias Kniller (merchant) and Lucia Kniller
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Studied painting in Lübeck
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Kit-Cat Club Portraits: A famous series of 48 portraits of prominent literary, political, and cultural figures of the time.
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His influence on later English portrait painters, such as Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds, was profound.
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Naturalized British Citizen in 1711
Passed away on October 19, 1723, and was buried in Twickenham, England.
His works remain highly collectible, sought after by art collectors, historians, and museums worldwide.
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This early 18th-century oil portrait attributed to Kneller’s circle is an outstanding example of his influence on Baroque portraiture. The depiction of Mrs. Voss and her connection to Catherine (Agnes) Huckle adds historical depth and collector value.
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Ben Nicholson paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Ben Nicholson paintings are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ben Nicholson paintings, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider paintings by Montague Dawson, Edward Armfield, and Alfred Pollentine. Prices for Ben Nicholson paintings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $66,000 and can go as high as $66,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $66,000.