Bertram Nicholls 1923-34

MAFA President 1923-1934

Bertram Nicholls was a landscape painter and loved architectural details such as ruins and stone bridges. He was extremely successful and highly regarded by his peers who included Walter Ricketts, Frank Brangwyn and Russell Flint. 

Born in Didsbury in 1883, Bertram was the youngest child of fruit merchants William and Mary. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School then trained at the Slade School of Fine Art. In 1904 he visited Madrid to study Velasquez; on his return to England he worked with Frederick Jackson, one of the Staithes Group of artists, from whom he learnt to paint ‘en plein air’.

During 1911 he met the New York artist Frank Mura and later settled in Sussex, very near to Mura, whose work was a strong influence on his own art. His first solo exhibition was held at Barbizon House in 1924.  He became president of the Royal Society of Artists in 1931.  Nicholls exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1912 and from 1923-34 he became the president of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts.  His work is represented in the Royal Academy, the Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and is also held other major collection across the UK.

Explore some artwork by Bertram Nicholls.