Art Collections Online
The End of War
NICHOLSON, Sir William (1872 - 1949)
The End of War - Sir William Nicholson
Date: 1917
Media: lithograph on paper
Acquired: 1919; Presented by Ministry of Information
Accession Number: NMW A 13160
Collection: The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals
A British soldier strikes a final blow, nailing shut the door on war. The devastation’s recent presence is shown in the ruin and blood-stains all around. One contemporary critic wrote, 'I fell to completest content in front of William Nicholson's 'End of War'. Nothing could be better than the sentiment and its expression.’
Nicholson was born in Newark-on-Trent. He studied at Herkomer's School at Bushey, then the Académie Julian, Paris. He turned his hand to many mediums including painting and engraving. Nicholson is especially known for his revolutionary poster designs, created alongside his brother-in-law James Pryde under the names “J. and W. Beggerstaff”. He went on to become a successful portrait and still-life painter.