Sir William Nicholson, R.A. (1872-1948)
A 'Spanish' Girl, 1908
Gouache and ink on paper
7 5/16 x 7 9/16 inches (18.5 x 19.2 cm)
Signed and dated William Nicholson 1908 (upper right) SOLD
Prior to his first visit to Spain in the winter of 1933, Nicholson had an interest in the country, largely stemming from his admiration for the Spanish Masters. Some of his finest portraits, such as Sir Max Beerbohm and Walter Greaves, are masterpieces in a pared-back style, painted mostly in black, that clearly show the influence of Velasquez.
In the present drawing, too, the Girl's costume, ribboned hair and the dominance of black have a certain reminiscence of Velasquez.
Stephen Calloway has also pointed out that a close parallel in this work with a colour lithograph 'Lady in a Pink Dress' that was issued (along with several other British artists' works) in the French publication L'Estampe Moderne in 1898. In that print the seated female figure has the same pose and the same bulk of crinoline-like skirts.
Stephen Calloway has also pointed out that a close parallel in this work with a colour lithograph 'Lady in a Pink Dress' that was issued (along with several other British artists' works) in the French publication L'Estampe Moderne in 1898. In that print the seated female figure has the same pose and the same bulk of crinoline-like skirts.
Prior to his first visit to Spain in the winter of 1933, Nicholson had an interest in the country, largely stemming from his admiration for the Spanish Masters. Some of his finest portraits, such as Sir Max Beerbohm and Walter Greaves, are masterpieces in a pared-back style, painted mostly in black, that clearly show the influence of Velasquez.
In the present drawing, too, the Girl's costume, ribboned hair and the dominance of black have a certain reminiscence of Velasquez.
Stephen Calloway has also pointed out that a close parallel in this work with a colour lithograph 'Lady in a Pink Dress' that was issued (along with several other British artists' works) in the French publication L'Estampe Moderne in 1898. In that print the seated female figure has the same pose and the same bulk of crinoline-like skirts.
Stephen Calloway has also pointed out that a close parallel in this work with a colour lithograph 'Lady in a Pink Dress' that was issued (along with several other British artists' works) in the French publication L'Estampe Moderne in 1898. In that print the seated female figure has the same pose and the same bulk of crinoline-like skirts.