Francis Nicholson  - Pickering Artist, Print Maker and Drawing Master 1753 -1844

Last September, 2010, a small display of some prints and drawings and one painting was shown in the Memorial Hall of this Pickering born artist.

Many viewers were surprised that they had not heard of him previously, for none of his work is on regular view anywhere locally, other than some early watercolours of Scampston Hall, commissioned as a record of the house and grounds in 1790. Much detailed work and research has been done since then and a small illustrated booklet by Colin Coulson is on sale in newsagents, Beck Isle Museum and Tourist Information Centre about his life and how he became known as the father of "English Watercolour Painting".   A small display in Beck Isle Museum has created interest. Much time and energy has gone into finding the whereabouts of his work around the country in museums, art galleries and National Trust properties as well as about what happened after he and his family left Yorkshire for London after 1800. Research has also been done about his talented family, which has been totally absorbing for those involved. The quest for their artistic work has not been so successful, but the three self portraits of the artist have been traced. One of these was given to the National Portrait Gallery by Rev. Wrangham of Ryedale who was a descendent of Francis `s father`s sister, Jane. Francis Nicholson`s eldest daughter Sophie produced a dynasty of talent based in Chester after her marriage to the musical son of a Ripon organist. Some works by Francis`s nephew George Nicholson have been identified in addition to the two in Malton Museum.

A result of this activity will be seen in the Spring March 31 - May 20, 2012, at Ryedale Folk Museum when a selection of watercolour landscape paintings, portraits loaned by Nicholson admirers will be displayed with a selection of prints and drawings. It will be interesting to see a collection of work by him . This will be the first retropective exhibition of his work and will mark the Bicentennary of Francis Nicholson's  Presidency of what is now known as the Royal Watercolour Society. 

Judy Dixon.