John Nash was one of the twentieth century’s greatest botanical artists. A lifelong gardener who self-described as an ‘artist plantsman’, Nash was constantly drawing plants “for love or necessity”. Later in the century, Nash would co-found the Colchester Art Society with fellow artist plantsman Cedric Morris.

“I feel a slight pencil flourish even of part of a plant is more valuable than a photograph.”

This page of detailed studies is likely to be of plants grown in Nash’s own garden, and they are most likely evening primroses or a variety of poppies. On a large sheet and deliberately composed, the studies present extremely well in a handsome mount and frame. Pencil annotations provide notes on colour and layering, suggesting intent for a further work.

John Nash and his older brother Paul are perhaps now most famous for their work as official war artists in the First World War. While they were each appointed again in the Second World War (two of the only British artists commissioned in both conflicts), their large oil paintings of the first war were their most successful and became some of the most memorable images of the conflict.

It can be difficult not to call to mind major works like Oppy Wood and The Menin Road when looking at their later peacetime landscapes. It is also interesting to consider the emotional experience of their war work, coming before large bodies of post-war work. The Imperial War Museum’s Over the Top records the beginning of an attack that left 68 of the 80 men in John Nash’s unit dead or wounded – it is a remarkable work for a 24-year old in all respects and Nash did not manage to produce anything of the same quality in the Second World War.

Despite this connection to war art, John Nash was able to distinguish himself as a book illustrator, botanical artist and painter of landscapes, and enjoyed a highly successful wider career.

In 1967 he became the first living artist to be given a retrospective at the Royal Academy. His works are held by the IWM, Tate, Courtauld Institute and the Government Art Collection.
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Provenance:

The John Nash Estate (stamp verso)