William Nicholson; Ben Nicholson
William Nicholson; Ben Nicholson
by Unknown artist
ink and wash, circa 1916
12 1/8 in. x 8 in. (308 mm x 203 mm)
Given by an anonymous donor, 1996
Primary Collection
NPG 6379
Sittersback to top
- Ben Nicholson (1894-1982), Artist; son of Sir William Nicholson. Sitter in 6 portraits, Artist or producer of 1 portrait. Identify
- Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson (1872-1949), Artist. Sitter in 8 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 30 portraits. Identify
This portraitback to top
Behind the conundrum of the artist's initials JWB may lurk the clue that the caricature is by Sir William Nicholson himself - one half (the other being James Pryde) of the famous poster designing duo, J & W Beggarstaff. From 1910 to 1917 Sir William occupied a studio in The Pheasantry in Kings Road.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 459
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1916back to top
Current affairs
As war drags on with heavy losses conscription is introduced with the Military Service Act. Conscientious objectors who refused to fight were compelled to do non-military war work, and some were jailed.British Summer Time is introduced, putting the clocks forward an hour during the summer in order to capitalise on daylight hours.
Art and science
C. Hubert H. Parry sets William Blake's poem, Jerusalem, to music popularising the poem and tune as a patriotic English anthem. On hearing Edward Elgar's orchestrated version in 1922, King George V suggested that it replace God Save the King as the National Anthem.International
The Irish Citizen Army starts a Nationalist rebellion in Dublin: The Easter Rising.Massive losses are suffered on the Western Front at the battles of the Somme and Verdun.
The Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire (1916-18) led by Prince Faisal is assisted by T.E. Lawrence, who became known as Lawrence of Arabia.
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