Nick Nicholls (painter)
Nick Nicholls | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest Winston Nicholls 19 December 1914 |
| Died | 8 February 1991 (aged 76) London, UK |
| Education | Royal Polytechnic Institution, 1935 |
| Movement | The White Stag Group |
| Spouse |
Ann Miller (m. 1947) |
| Partner | Georgette Rondel (c. 1941–1942) |
Ernest Winston Nicholls (1914–1991), known as Nick Nicholls, was an English-born Irish painter and poet.[1][2][3] An early member of The White Stag Group, during the Second World War Nicholls lived in Dublin.[1]
Early life and education
Ernest Winston Nicholls was born on 19 December 1914 to Edward Alfred Nicholls, a Captain and later Colonel, and Constance Gwendoline Nicholls.[1][4][5][6][7] Nicholls's father was English whilst his mother was born in Wexford.[1][7]
In 1935, Nicholls qualified as a quantity surveyor from the Royal Polytechnic Institution.[1][8]
Career
The same year Nicholls began painting.[1][8] Initially starting with watercolour, Nicholls quickly embraced abstraction and surrealism.[1][8] Nicholls began frequenting the studio of Basil Rákóczi, the headquarters of The White Stag Group, alongside Georgette Rondel and her husband Percy René Buhler, a German linguist and salesman.[2][9] [10][11] During 1937 to 1938, Nicholls, Rondel and Buhler and travelled across Sweden.[1]
Upon returning to London, Nicholls acquired a studio on the same street as Rákóczi.[1] During this period Nicholls exhibited at the Spectrum Gallery.[1] In June 1939, Rondel, Nicholls and Buhler relocated to Dublin.[12] On 16 April 1940, Nicholls' work was shown at the first The White Stag Group exhibition.[11] According to follow White Stag Group member Patrick Scott, Rondel and Nicholls only began a romantic relationship following her husband's deportation in late 1941.[12][10][11][13][9] By the end of 1941, Rondel returned to London but later died on 4 May 1942.[1][12][9][14] Nicholls' 1942 poem "My Love is Dead" is dedicated to Rondel.[9] The same year Nicholls published his first book of poetry.[3]
Post-war
In 1946, Nicholls had a religious conversion and returned to London late that year.[1] Around 1953, Nicholls gave up painting and began studying religion and philosophy.[1] In the early 1960s, Nicholls began to painting again.[1]
Personal life
In 1947, Nicholls married Ann Miller in Westminster.[1][15] He died on 8 February 1991, in London, aged 76.[4][16]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Kennedy, S.B. (2005). "Biographical Notes of Principal White Stag Artists and Those Associated With Them". The White Stag Group. Dublin: Irish Museum of Modern Art. pp. 149–154. ISBN 1903811503. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
- 1 2 Milligan, Kathryn (2020). "Temporary Exile: The White Stag Group in Dublin, 1939–1946". In Roth, Helene; Lee, Rachel; Karp Lugo, Laura; Hetschold, Mareike; Dogramaci, Burcu (eds.). Arrival Cities: Migrating Artists and New Metropolitan Topographies in the 20th Century. Leuven, Belgium: Leuven University Press. pp. 317–334. ISBN 978-9462702264. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- 1 2 Marcus, David; Smith, Terence, eds. (June 1953). "Poetry Ireland Supplements: Biographical Notes of the New Contributors". Irish Writing (23): 72. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Ernest Nicholls [Death Index]". England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. 13. London, UK: General Register Office: 1686. 1991.
- ↑ "No.769 Ernest Winston Nicholls". Wiltshire Church of England Parish Registers; East Harnham, All Saints; 1855–1916. Chippenham, Wiltshire: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre: 97. 1915.
- ↑ "Edward A. Nicholls". 1939 Register; Sussex; Hastings; Cb. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1939.
- 1 2 "Constance Gwen[doline] Nicholls". 1921 Census; Essex; Tendring; 01; 05. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1921.
- 1 2 3 "Nick Nicholls (1914–1991)". Whyte's. Dublin, Ireland: Whyte & Sons. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Kennedy, S.B. (2005). "The White Stag Group in Ireland". IMMA. Dublin, Ireland: Irish Museum of Modern Art. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Georgette Rondel (1915–1942) – Tea Time". Tim Williams Fine Art. Archived from the original on 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Kennedy, S.B. (2005). "The White Stag Group". The White Stag Group. Dublin: Irish Museum of Modern Art. pp. 12–49. ISBN 1903811503. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Georgette Rondel c. 1915–1942". Adam's. Dublin, Ireland: James Adam & Sons. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ Ryan, Vera (2006). "Patrick Scott". Movers and Shapers 2: Irish Visual Art 1940–2006. Cork, Ireland: Collins Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-1905172030. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Georgette Marthe France Buhler; Cremation Register". Deceased Online. Pytchley, Northamptonshire. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ernest W Nicholls and Ann L Miller [Marriage Index]". England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. 5c (Q2). London, UK: General Register Office: 961.
- ↑ "Nicholls, Ernest Winston". Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, UK: Principal Probate Registry: 6188. 1991.