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Rating: 
Summary: Nicholson on Nicholson
Review: Sir William Nicholson has been neglected probably more than he should have. As one of the most innovative graphic designers of the turn of the 20th century (along with his brother in law Jonathon Pryde), he rates more study than he has thus far achieved. A biography which manages to successfully focus on the particulars of his life and probably is in long overdue. Nicholson did have the sort of life that would interest a biographer, innovative and controversial artist (based on ground breaking depiction of Queen Victoria), father-in-law to Robert Graves, and painting instructor to Winston Churchill. Perhaps someone will discover Nicholson and produce the blockbuster life study that he deserves. For the time being, this beautiful book addresses half of this equation in that it covers the work in comprehensive fashion. Lavishly illustrated one comes away with a sense of what made Nicholson a great artist and in a variety of mediums. I must confess that my favorite works by Nicholson have been the early lithographs and advertising posters. The lithographs are still available to collectors (though generally not sold in sets as Nicholson intended) while outstanding examples of the posters were reproduced in the Maitres de l'enfich" series which are likewise highly collectable. This book provides ample representation of Nicholson's restained use of color and line to produce an end product that I think is incredibly amazing. The only criticism that I have is regarding the section on paintings. I have viewed some of the originals in the Tate Gallery in London and in some cases the colors do not completely match the originals (which have far more depth). Other than this minor flaw I believe this to be one of the finest books on Nicholson and the best study of his work as a whole.
Rating:
Summary: Nicholson on Nicholson
Review: Sir William Nicholson has been neglected probably more than he should have. As one of the most innovative graphic designers of the turn of the 20th century (along with his brother in law Jonathon Pryde), he rates more study than he has thus far achieved. A biography which manages to successfully focus on the particulars of his life and probably is in long overdue. Nicholson did have the sort of life that would interest a biographer, innovative and controversial artist (based on ground breaking depiction of Queen Victoria), father-in-law to Robert Graves, and painting instructor to Winston Churchill. Perhaps someone will discover Nicholson and produce the blockbuster life study that he deserves. For the time being, this beautiful book addresses half of this equation in that it covers the work in comprehensive fashion. Lavishly illustrated one comes away with a sense of what made Nicholson a great artist and in a variety of mediums. I must confess that my favorite works by Nicholson have been the early lithographs and advertising posters. The lithographs are still available to collectors (though generally not sold in sets as Nicholson intended) while outstanding examples of the posters were reproduced in the Maitres de l'enfich" series which are likewise highly collectable. This book provides ample representation of Nicholson's restained use of color and line to produce an end product that I think is incredibly amazing. The only criticism that I have is regarding the section on paintings. I have viewed some of the originals in the Tate Gallery in London and in some cases the colors do not completely match the originals (which have far more depth). Other than this minor flaw I believe this to be one of the finest books on Nicholson and the best study of his work as a whole.
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