Bertram Nicholls (1883–1974): A Painter of Quiet Landscapes
Bertram Nicholls, born in Didsbury, Manchester on September 26th, 1883, was the youngest child of William Andrews Nicholls (1842-August 7th, 1925), a fruit merchant, and Mary née Allen, who married at Kinver St Peter, Staffordshire on April 9th, 1866. He received his education at Manchester Grammar School and pursued artistic studies at the Slade School of Fine Art (1901–4), where he honed his skills under Reginald Barber. Early influences included Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) and Richard Wilson (1714-1782), artists whose meticulous observation and tonal harmonies profoundly shaped Nicholls’ artistic vision.
- Early Career & Influences: Nicholls began his artistic journey with a focus on capturing the essence of British landscapes, particularly those imbued with atmospheric subtlety. His formative years were marked by encounters with prominent figures like Frederick Jackson (1859-1918), whose Staithes Group embraced plein air painting—a technique prioritizing direct observation and immediate representation of nature.
- Madrid & Velasquez: In 1904, Nicholls embarked on a transformative trip to Madrid, dedicating himself to the study of Diego Velázquez’s masterful compositions. This immersion in Baroque art instilled within him an appreciation for compositional balance and skillful rendering of light—elements that would become hallmarks of his subsequent works.
- The Slade & Beyond: Returning from Spain, Nicholls continued his artistic development at the Slade School of Fine Art, where he experimented with various styles before gravitating towards landscapes characterized by quiet stillness and understated beauty. He sought inspiration from artists like Whistler and Turner, absorbing their innovative approaches to color and brushwork.
- World War I & Panoramic Drawings: During World War I, Nicholls served in the Kite Balloon Service of the Royal Flying Corps, undertaking daring aerial reconnaissance missions while simultaneously producing panoramic drawings that documented the realities of wartime conflict. These expeditions broadened his artistic horizons and deepened his understanding of capturing expansive vistas with precision and sensitivity.
- Mature Style & Legacy: Nicholls established a home near Frank Mura in Sussex, where he cultivated a contemplative lifestyle dedicated to artistic pursuits. He became president of MAFA (1921–31) and RBA (1931–47), cementing his position as a respected figure within the British art community. His paintings—particularly *Drying the Sails* purchased by Tate Gallery in 1921—remain celebrated for their luminous tonal harmonies and evocative depictions of rural England, securing Nicholls’ place as one of the foremost landscape painters of his era.
Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)
