Artwork

Cecil Rhodes

Cecil Rhodes, by William Nicholson, 1899
Cecil Rhodes, by William Nicholson, 1899

Cecil Rhodes is a print by the Impressionist artist William Nicholson. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cecil Rhodes, a 1899 print by William Nicholson, portrays the British colonial statesman in a resolute, standing pose with arms crossed, set against a subdued, suggestive background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Cecil Rhodes, is depicted with a serious expression, conveying a sense of authority and gravitas, reflective of his influential role in British colonial politics.

Technique & Style

Nicholson employed bold, defining lines to delineate Rhodes' figure against a dark, minimalist backdrop, evoking a strong, direct aesthetic akin to Realist portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1899, this work marks a period in Nicholson's career when he was consolidating his reputation across various artistic mediums, including printmaking, portraiture, and illustration.

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Nicholson

Artist

William Nicholson

Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson (5 February 1872 – 16 May 1949) was a British painter of still-life, landscape and portraits.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.