“Hidden in plain sight" is a description which befits the seaside village of Rottingdean but in its heart lies a bustling creative spirit that has been blossoming for centuries. The quiet village on the East Sussex shore has been home to many renowned artists. Rudyard Kipling called the village his home in 1897, and even has a garden named after him.
Sir William Nicholson, the famous artist, owned and lived in The Grange before the First World War and it was there that his family shaped into a powerhouse in the art world. And that art tradition at The Grange remains vibrant as it hosts his wife Mabel Pryde Nicholson's work until August 26. Sir William Nicholson and his wife Mabel Nicholson, the famous artist, owned and lived in The Grange (Image: Visit Brighton) Mabel was an esteemed painter in her own right, she wholeheartedly followed her own interpretation of the realism painting style – focusing on darker tones, dramatic renderings of her everyday life and had a deep appreciation for the art in its purest form.
Chris Davidson, chairman at the Rottingdean Heritage Trust, a charity which upkeeps and manages historical features in the village, guided me across the room that housed Mabel’s exhibition, named Prydie - her nickname. A feeling of awe seemed to coat the atmosphere. Having all this work in one place is a moment in history, “I still cannot believe that this room is housing millions of pounds' worth of artwork from all across the UK” Chris told me.
There was a humility in the appreciation of such a grand collection – though Mabel Nicholson may have been overshadowed by her male counterparts, she now took centre stage and deservedly so. Her deep love for her children radiated from her paintings, something which often goes amiss in most realism as the focus is on the darker tones. (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta) Born in 1871 in Edinburgh, Mabel came from a lineage of talented artists.
Her brother James Pryde was an acclaimed painter with work in public collections across the nation and their uncle Robert Scott Lauder was one of the original members of the Royal Scottish Academy. She studied at the Bushey School of Art where she met William when she was 17. Like most women of her era, however, she put aside painting for her marriage and children.
A number of her paintings were done at the Grange itself – as you trace your eyes across the various works on display, scenes come to life as your mind's eye realises that you are in fact in the area being portrayed. Mabel had four children, who feature predominantly in her paintings, the famous artist Ben, Anthony who was killed in action during the First World War, Annie Mary “Nancy” a painter and fabric designer in her own right and Christopher, ‘Kit’, a prominent modern architect and designer. Mabel had four children who feature predominantly in her paintings (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta) Her deep love for her children radiates from her paintings, something which often goes amiss in most realism as the focus is on the darker tones.
Having work exhibited in London and earning enough from the sale of a single painting was enough to fund commissioning the architect Edwin Lutyens to build her a studio in the Grange’s Garden. She died of influenza in London in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. After nearly 100 years since her last exhibition, her work is being displayed all together in this homecoming exhibit.
Paintings have been borrowed from the Tate in London, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester and from the Scottish National Gallery. There is even work from private collections of descendants – to be shown in a village of little more than 3,000 residents. Lucy Davies, a co-curator alongside David Bamford, describes the difficulty of bringing Mabel’s work and life in the spotlight in her recent article for The Times: “Extracting Mabel from the shadows has not been easy.
She left little trace of herself, not least by ripping, snipping or scratching her face from a number of photographs.” The exhibition coincides with Lucy’s release of a biography of the painter due to be published this month, bringing Mabel’s life and work a true moment in the sun. One paining was loaned to us after the exhibit was launched from a private collection – This gorgeous painting of Kit dressed as a young pirate.
” (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta) Part of the exhibition includes her own palette that was preserved and signed by her husband, a bundle of personal letters to family and friends, and of course, her paintings — about 20 of a possible 46 which are currently “out in the world”. Chris explained: “One thing we really hope happens from this exhibition, apart from people being exposed to Mabel’s incredible artistry, is that these lost paintings can be found and exhibited. No art historian has been able to locate them.
One paining was loaned to us after the exhibit was launched from a private collection – This gorgeous painting of Kit dressed as a young pirate.” ‘Prydie’ allows for an experience of appreciation – It tells the story of a mother, rebel and artistic visionary who even though time did not allow – Mabel made time for her passions and did not allow the weight of her family’s legacy to overshadow her, instead her old home now stands as a beacon of her artistic talent. Entry is free.
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