Let's end our parade of William Nicholson sporting prints with this image, published in An Almanac of Twelve Sports in 1898. I have often wondered if the scene was (or was inspired by) African-American boxer Jack Johnson. It is a wonderful image, certain to be treasured by any pugilist (or a fan of such sport). It is mounted in an oak frame, from the same period as the print.
While William Nicholson is best known for his handsome prints, he was also a wonderful painter. American painter, James McNeil Whistler, was a friend of Nicholson's and he vigorously encouraged Nicholson to pursue painting more seriously—which Nicholson did increasingly after 1900. Nicholson's portraits and landscapes are wonderful. But I especially love his still life paintings—where he renders complex materials, like metals and glass, with such confidence and economy. I was lucky enough to see Nicholson's most recent exhibit at the Royal Academy in London (2004). While they did show a few of his well-known prints, they featured an expansive presentation of his oil paintings. It was a wonderful show—and I would have liked any one of the exhibited pictures in my own home. Two years later, a smaller exhibition of William Nicholson paintings was shown in Chelsea, New York City (which, as I recall, was mounted by a descendant of the artist).
William Nicholson designed the stage settings for the original London production of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan in 1904 (which Barrie adapted into a novel in 1911). Nicholson also illustrated the iconic childrens' book, The Velveteen Rabbit in 1922. He also was commissioned to design some stained glass church windows.
The handsome Boxing print, shown above, is framed in an antique oak frame, contemporary to the 1898 print. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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