John Nash
John Northcote Nash, born on 11 April 1893, was a painter oriented on still-lives and landscapes. He was also a wood engraver and illustrator specializing in botanic works (Balston, 2015). He was born in London being the younger son of William Harry Nash who worked as a recorder, serving Caroline Jackson and Abingdon. His mother died in 1910 after suffering from mental instability. The family relocated to Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire in 1901. Nash acquired education at Langley Place and later proceeded to Wellington College, Berkshire. He specifically enjoyed botany but was undecided of the career path to follow. In 1910, he initially was a news reporter for Middlesex and Berkshire Gazette. His brother Paul joined the Slade School of Art the same year. John Nash developed art abilities as a draughtsman being encouraged by his brother despite his lack of formal art training (Gough, 2014). His initial work revolved around comic landscapes and drawings as well as Biblical scenes, all in watercolor. In 1933, he successfully did a joint exhibition with Paul at Dorien Leigh Gallery which, led to his invitation in 1914 to become a founder-member of the London Group.
He exhibited with Harold Gilman, Robert Bevan and Charles Ginner at the Goupil Gallery in 1915 shortly after joining Cumberland Market Group. Nash started oil painting in 1914, being encouraged by Harold Gilman. His most famous painting is Over the Top, which presently hangs in the Imperial War Museum. The Cornfield is Nash’s initial painting outside the theme of war. He married Dorothy Christine in 1918. He gained membership of New English Art Club in 1919 and became the initial art critic in 1921 for The London Mercury. He
to landscape painting after World War I. He would incorporate the emotions of war in his paintings over the years, as evident in The Moat, Grange Farm, Kimble, which was displayed in 1922. He died in Colchester on 23 September 1977.
Over the Top, 1918
The Cornfield The Cornfield, 1918, Tate Gallery
The Moat, Grange Farm, Kimble
References
Balston, T. (2015). English Wood-engraving 1900-1950. Courier Dover Publications.
Gough, P. (2014). ‘Brothers in Arms’, John and Paul Nash, and the aftermath of the Great War. Sansom and Co Ltd..