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Notes

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The interlocking forms of this abstract painting appear to relate to Nicholson's austere abstractions and reliefs of the 1930s, but the overlapping shapes and the abandonment of a strict right-angle grid in the composition are innovations of the late 1940s.

The increasingly complicated pictorial and spatial relationships in Nicholson's work at this time suggest his renewed interest in still life and Cubism. After the war, landscape and still life played an increasingly important role in Nicholson's art, informing the colours, textures and arrangement of his works.

The Pier Arts Centre

Stromness

Title

1945 (2 circles)

Date

1945

Medium

oil on canvas on board

Measurements

H 48 x W 45.2 cm

Accession number

PAC 46

Acquisition method

gift from Margaret Gardiner, 1979

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

1. 'TOP / ↑'. 2. 'Ben Nicholson / (2 circles) 1945'. 3. 'M BERNAL / 35, DOWNSHIRE HILL / N.W.3'. 4. 'Plate Y'. 5. 'Nicholson / 3 Mall Studios / Parkhill Rd / London NW3'. 6. address label for Margaret Gardiner. 7. exhibition label for Tate (Ben Nicholson: 13th October 1993-9th Jan 1994). 8. 'K. H. 29 / M.A.T 3.2.'. 9. exhibition label for the British Council (Ben Nicholson at Musée d'Art Moderne, St Etienne 17th Feb-2nd May 1994. 10. exhibition label for the British Council (Ben Nicholson, Lisbo

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