Sir William Nicholson
  English (1872-1949)
James Pryde
  Scottish (1866-1941)

The Beggarstaffs (Sir William Nicholson, English, 1872-1949 & James Pryde, Scottish, 1866-1941) Under the pseudonym, they virtually created the modern poster, with clear outlines and large areas of flat colour. Perhaps the most influential graphic designers of all time.

William Nicholson's woodblock prints of the 1890's were amongst the most revolutionary British print images of the era. They used a treatment of form, with a stylised simplification of shape, and a handling of perspective and picture space which had had no precedent in British art. Influences of Japanese art, and a parallel thinking to, if not a direct knowledge of, the ideas of Toulouse Lautrec and of the Nabis painters in Paris at the same period can certainly be felt, although there is no record that Nicholson had actually studied either at this date.

Greg's recommended reading:
The Beggarstaff Posters
by Colin Campbell.

“One of us gets an idea”, said Pryde, “we talk it over, the other suggests an addition, the matter is reconsidered, perhaps shelved away for months.”
Interview Idler magazine, Jan. 1896

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Just Added Sir William Nicholson (aka, Beggarstaff)
"Twelve Portraits" printed 1899-1902 (12 images)

Other Portraits include: Sada Yacco, James Whistler, Gladstone, Lord Roberts,
Prince Bismarck, Sir Henry Hawkins, Cecil Rhodes, The Archbishop of Canterbury.
More "Portraits" »»

Sir William Nicholson (aka, Beggarstaff) "London Types" printed 1898 (12 images)

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More "An Almanach of Twelves Sports" »»

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