Blue Purpose

Artist Winifred Nicholson (Oxford, England, 1893 - 1981)

Date1935

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 65 cm, Width: 81.3 cm
Frame: Height: 71.2 cm, Width: 88.2 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1976 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 17

Object numberABDAG002915

Keywords

Abstract

About MeWinifred Nicholson was the first wife of the famous British abstract artist Ben Nicholson. They separated in 1931 when Winifred moved to France. Nicholson believed that this work was her best abstract picture. It was painted in 1935 during her years in Paris when all around, artists were experimenting and gradually expanding the boundaries of their art.

Nicholson arrived at abstraction by taking one of her flower paintings and through a series of simplifications, revealed the essential bones of the work. Her endeavours were interrupted by the Second World War, after which she resumed her representational paintings of flowers, which allowed her to explore theories of colour and light.

The family of Winifred Nicholson has recently created a new website dedicated to her art:
www.winifrednicholson.com

More About Me

Collections Wall

Even though this is an abstract work, the organic forms in this painting still clearly allude to Nicholson's interest in flower painting.

Exhibitions

Gallery 17 - Abstract Art