The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Benedict Nicolson

(1914-1978), Art historian

Sitter in 3 portraits
The longest-serving Editor of the Burlington, from 1947 to 1978, Nicolson was for three decades completely identified with the Magazine's fortunes and reputations. He made it a forum for innovative research in seventeenth-century art, introduced new contributors, particularly recent art-history graduates, and wrote incisive editorials on topical issues. His books include Wright of Derby, Painter of Light , The International Caravaggesque Movement, and studies of Seurat and Courbet. 'Deep silences, infectious laughter and alternating shrewdness and innocence fused in a personality as memorable as his appearance' is how Richard Shone, the present Editor of the Magazine recalls him.

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Benedict Nicolson, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P797(34)

Benedict Nicolson

by Lord Snowdon
bromide print, 25 March 1964
NPG P797(34)

Benedict Nicolson, by Rodrigo Moynihan - NPG 5233

Benedict Nicolson

by Rodrigo Moynihan
oil on canvas, 1977-1978
NPG 5233

Benedict Nicolson, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1222

Benedict Nicolson

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 4 July 1977
NPG P1222

Family Tree

Related People

Category

Groups

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Listen

Pioneer Podcasts

Listen to a series of podcasts exploring the lives of pioneering women, past and present.

Explore the podcasts

Untitled, c.1973 (Alex Chilton) by William Eggleston © Eggleston Artistic Trust

Eggleston Playlist

William Eggleston was closely associated with the alternative music scene in Memphis. Revisit our 2016 exhibition and listen to a special playlist.

Listen to the playlist

Archive interviews

Links to audio and transcripts of interviews with artists, sitters and historic recordings.

Watch, listen and read