A Guide to the Work of Ben Nicholson

Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) was a prominent British artist, and one of the leading lights in promoting abstract art in England. Alongside his abstract work, Nicholson is known for his landscapes, and his still-life compositions. In spite of this, there is a clear uniformity that is found threaded throughout his work, a harmony which is also existent within individual works themselves, as he unites form, feeling, and colour with his delicate brushes upon the canvas.

^{Ben Nicholson 'Five Circles'}

^{Sold for £4,000}

Nicholson’s style and influence

After studying at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1910-11, Nicholson entered into a variety of artistic circles, influenced by and influencing those around him in significant ways. His travels to Europe saw him associating with the likes of Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso, inspired by their fascination with Cubism, an avant-garde form that focused on breaking and reassembling subjects, to offer a plethora of perspectives and ways of interpreting the artwork.  ‘1945 (still life)’ is a good example of the Cubist influence upon Nicholson’s work, a painting today displayed in the Tate Britain.

 ^{Ben Nicholson (1894 - 1982), White III}

^{Sold for £3,200}

Nicholson also married fellow artist Barbara Hepworth in 1938. Together, they moved to St. Ives at the beginning of the Second World War, which through them became a hub for modern and abstract artists in Britain. These artists combined an interest in abstraction with the scenic landscapes they were surrounded by.

Nicholson manages to blend an overall simplicity with a depth of sophistication for which he was admired by many of his contemporaries. As Nicholson himself professed, ‘I’m interested in locating the holy grail of the minimum means to express the most complex ideas.’ It was this ideal to which he consistently strived, in an artistic career that spanned multiple decades and multiple sources of inspirations. And these varied stimuli produced a diverse set of forms, as Nicholson was not only known for his painting. For example, his work, ‘White III’, sold for £3,200 at a Dawsons auction this year, a work upon a woven wool tapestry.

^{Ben Nicholson 'Sailing Boat through a Window'}

^{Sold for £1,000}

Selling Ben Nicholson works

With Nicholson’s varied life comes a varied oeuvre of works, differing in style, form, and inspiration. Nicholson’s brushes with the artistic elite in Europe have resulted in several paintings which are valued very highly, through association, such as his 1936 work, ‘White Relief’, which sold for £1,842,000 in 2022.

However, many of his works can also be found on the lower end of the price range as well, and typical factors such as quality, discolouration, and general damage need to be examined for an accurate estimation of price. It is important to obtain a professional and accurate current market valuation for your item, and as specialists in Modern & Contemporary Art, a movement which Nicholson was at the helm of, the expert Valuers at Dawsons are an ideal choice.

read more

How Do I Find Out How Much a Print is Worth? 

A Guide to the Work of Barbara Hepworth

How Do I Sell Unwanted Art?

Are you thinking of selling any artwork by Ben Nicholson?

With a global audience of over 10 million known bidders, Dawsons can secure the highest price.

Get in touch with an expert Valuer for confidential sales advice, we would be delighted to help:

0207 431 9445 / info@dawsonsauctions.co.uk