Ben Nicholson [Hardcover]

Norbert Lynton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0714828130 | ISBN-13: 978-0714828138

Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) was one of the finest British artists of the twentieth century. This monograph pays tribute to the artist on the centenary of his birth. Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) was one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, who first came to international prominence with his famous "white reliefs" of the 1930s. A pioneer of abstract art in Britain, he played a significant role in the European avant-garde, forming close links with Picasso, Braque, Mondrian and others. At the same time he had a strong sense of tradition, maintaining a lifelong attachment to landscape and still-life forms. This book presents a portrait of this complex and single-minded artist, who refused to be pinned down by labels. Within a broadly chronological framework, it focuses on individual works, analysing their content as well as their appearance, and showing how the artist transformed and transcended the influences he absorbed.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In spite of being one of Britain's leading twentieth-century artists, Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) and his work have not been accorded the sort of comprehensive scrutiny they deserve, until now. And this grand, color-rich (250 colorplates) retrospective was well worth the wait. Art historian Lynton, an acquaintance and devoted admirer of Nicholson, is indefatigable, tracing the roundabout evolution of Nicholson's style and inspirations decade by decade, painting by painting. The son of artists, art was in Nicholson's blood, and he followed its call over the static of his rivalry with his father. The company of women was essential to Nicholson; the first two of his three wives were artists, and every aspect of his daily existence related to his work. Innately talented and consumed by the sensuality of painting, Nicholson was a great experimenter, prolific, poetic, and dynamic right up to the end of his art-filled life. Lynton's commentary keeps pace with each phase of Nicholson's creativity as he played with the elements of landscape and still lifes, explored the eloquence of limitations in his famous white reliefs, and reveled in the glory of color and surface texture and transparency. In closing Lynton writes, Nicholson's art is "about being alive and conscious of living, of breathing, moving, sensing." It is also about beauty. Donna Seaman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 472 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714828130
• ISBN-13: 978-0714828138
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,984,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ben Nicholson Rediscovered, January 22, 2000

By 

Corinne Whitaker "Digital Giraffe" (www.giraffe.com) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ben Nicholson (Paperback)

It is no small pleasure to view once again the cool, elegant work of Ben Nicholson. Unlike many of our neon palettes of today, Nicholson's tones were often subtle and delicate, especially in his reliefs. He seldom discussed the subject matter of his works, since it was the process that fascinated him. Lynton describes him as "a child-man, whose best joys and fullest sense of being alive came from his delight in the perfect flight of a ball or a bird."

Nicholson was self-effacing, witty and urbane. His world was one of joy in light and line. Lynton's book beautifully brings us into that world.