Ben Nicholson

Date of Birth: April 10, 1894

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: February 6, 1982

Biography

Ben Nicholson (Benjamin Lauder Nicholson) was an influential British painter and sculptor, best known for his abstract compositions and his contribution to the modern art movement in the 20th century. Born into an artistic family, Nicholson was the son of renowned painter William Nicholson and the artist Mabel Pryde. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and was deeply influenced by the European avant-garde movements, including Cubism and Constructivism. Nicholson’s early works were primarily figurative, but he began to experiment with abstraction in the 1930s. He had a pivotal role in the development of abstract art in Britain, often working alongside other prominent artists such as Barbara Hepworth, whom he later married. Nicholson’s work was characterized by its geometric shapes, clean lines, and a harmonious use of color and form. Throughout his career, Nicholson exhibited widely and received numerous accolades. His works are held in significant collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery in London. Nicholson’s legacy continues to influence contemporary artists, and he is remembered as a pioneer of modern British art.

5 Interesting Facts about Ben Nicholson

1. Ben Nicholson was awarded the Order of Merit in 1968, one of the highest honors in the UK.

2. He was a central figure in the St Ives group of artists, which included his wife Barbara Hepworth and the Russian Constructivist Naum Gabo.

3. Nicholson’s work was profoundly influenced by his travels to Italy, France, and Switzerland, where he was exposed to the works of Picasso and Braque.

4. Despite his abstract leanings, Nicholson continued to create still lifes and landscape paintings throughout his career.

5. He was the recipient of the prestigious First Prize at the Carnegie International in Pittsburgh in 1952.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ben Nicholson

1. “To me, the sense of space within a painting is more important than the object itself.”

2. “Art is a way to express the inexpressible.”

3. “Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot physically see with his eyes.”

4. “The more materialistic science becomes, the more angels I shall paint.”

5. “True artists are those who find the way to give people the greatest happiness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Ben Nicholson is estimated to be around $10 million, considering the value of his works in major art collections and auction houses.