John Northcote Nash CBE RA

(1893-1977)

by Flavia Deakin

Thomas Spencer Fine Art is delighted to present a group of works by John Northcote Nash (1893-1977), one of Britain’s foremost landscape painters. A prolific artist, Nash is admired not only for his works in oil and watercolour but also for his wood engravings, line drawings, lithographs, and illustrations.

Nash had no formal artistic training, but his ability was noticed by his brother, the artist Paul Nash, who encouraged his younger brother’s talent. Having served in World War One, Nash left the army and began work as an official war artist in 1918; one of his most famous works, ‘Over the Top’ depicts a calamitous attack carried out by the 1st Artists’ Rifles in December 1917 and is held in the collection of the Imperial War Museum.

After the war, Nash turned his attention to depictions of the English countryside: the first painting he completed which did not depict a war subject was ‘The Cornfield’; a depiction of fields in late summer with stacks of corn, in early evening light. This painting has been referred to as a “‘thanksgiving to survival” following his harrowing experiences in the Great War and is now in the collection of the Tate.

Nash continued to paint landscapes throughout his life, inspired by the countryside of rural England, particularly that around his homes in Buckinghamshire and North Essex. The art historian Eric Newton said of Nash “If I wanted a foreigner to understand the mood of a typical English landscape, I would show him Nash's best watercolours”.

‘Norfolk Chalkpit’, presented by TSFA, perfectly exemplifies the type of landscape Newton was referring to: a flowing, lyrical monochrome study of rural Norfolk. Annotations by the artist indicate he may have intended to turn the work into a canvas, before deciding against it, although a number of canvases depicting similar scenes exist, including in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. This work is typical of Nash’s style and was referenced in the book John Nash: The Delighted Eye, by Allen Freer (p.108).

Freer was one of Nash’s greatest champions and collectors. He previously owned ‘Norfolk Chalkpit’, as well as two other works presented by TSFA. The second work is a view towards Boxted from Nash’s home at Bottengoms Farm in North Essex; this is another sensitive landscape typical of Nash’s simple painting style and instinctive ability to capture the spirit of the English countryside. The rural landscape around his home was an extensive source of inspiration for Nash and was the subject of many of his finest works, including ‘Mill Building, Boxted’ (1962), now in the Tate.

The third work previously in the Freer collection is an intriguing Woodland Study, executed in 1925 and gifted to Freer by Nash in the early 1970s. The format of this subtle work is unusual, suggesting that it may have formed part of a larger painting, or been a study for a long panoramic view. The delicacy with which Nash depicts the trees and foliage in this work belies his passion for botany, which he indulged by painting and drawing many botanical studies throughout his life.

Nash’s delight and skill in depicting trees and the natural environment is evident in ‘Tresillian River, Truro’, a vivid study which the artist has squared to transfer to canvas. Partly coloured and complete with artist’s notes and signature, the bright colours and skilful brushwork lend a certain liveliness to this simple depiction of trees on a riverbank

Nash’s work as an illustrator and wood engraver is often evident in his painting style, which has a certain naïve quality to it. The final work presented by TSFA, a Townscape of an unidentified town, highlights Nash’s working method and the skill of his draughtsmanship.

The charm of Nash’s work garnered him recognition throughout his career: he was a member of the London Group and the New English Art Club and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1951, who held a retrospective of his work in 1967; the first ever retrospective of a living painter at the RA. A new major retrospective, the first in 50 years, is currently being held at the Towner gallery, Eastbourne.

These five works will be on view with Thomas Spencer Fine Art at The Petworth Park Fine Antiques and Fine Art Fair, 18-20 June 2021. Tickets are available here or via the exhibtions tab at the top of the page. For further information on any works, please contact us.

Price list:

Norfolk Chalkpit - £10,500

Boxted - £5,800

Woodland Study - £1,650

Tresillian River, Truro - £5,200

Townscape - £1,800