Benedict Nicolson
Encyclopedia
Benedict Nicolson, MVO
(6 August 1914–1978) was a British
art historian and author.
Nicolson was the elder son of authors Harold Nicolson
and Vita Sackville-West
and the brother of writer and politician Nigel
. His parents were famously devoted to each other and the boys grew up at Sissinghurst Castle, in the rural depths of Kent
, surrounded by the renowned gardens that are now run by the National Trust
. Nicolson was educated at Eton College
and Balliol College, Oxford
, studying modern history. In 1939, he was appointed Deputy Surveyor of the King's Pictures under Kenneth Clark
, but soon after war was declared and he joined the Intelligence Corps, rising to the rank of Captain. In 1945 he resumed his Royal post as Deputy Surveyor, then under Anthony Blunt
.
After the war, Nicolson told his mother of having a homosexual relationship. Vita (herself a bisexual woman
with an open marriage
) thought the relationship would jeopardise his position at court and urged him to marry instead. He was married on 8 August 1955 to Luisa Felicita Vertova, the elder daughter of Professor Giacomo Vertova of Florence
, and they had a daughter, Vanessa Pepita Giovanna (b. 1956), before divorcing in 1962.
After being appointed a MVO
, Nicolson resigned from the Royal Household
in 1947 and went on to edit Burlington Magazine. Nicolson spent much of his life collecting photographs of early seventeenth century works in the Caravaggio manner which he wrote about in the Burlington Magazine and which eventually filled three large volumes.
Nicolson died in 1978 and was buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Sissinghurst
, Kent
, adjacent to his father.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(6 August 1914–1978) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
art historian and author.
Nicolson was the elder son of authors Harold Nicolson
Harold Nicolson
Sir Harold George Nicolson KCVO CMG was an English diplomat, author, diarist and politician. He was the husband of writer Vita Sackville-West, their unusual relationship being described in their son's book, Portrait of a Marriage.-Early life:Nicolson was born in Tehran, Persia, the younger son of...
and Vita Sackville-West
Vita Sackville-West
The Hon Victoria Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson, CH , best known as Vita Sackville-West, was an English author, poet and gardener. She won the Hawthornden Prize in 1927 and 1933...
and the brother of writer and politician Nigel
Nigel Nicolson
Nigel Nicolson OBE was a British writer, publisher and politician.-Biography:Nicolson was the son of the writers Sir Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West; he had a brother Ben, later an art historian...
. His parents were famously devoted to each other and the boys grew up at Sissinghurst Castle, in the rural depths of Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, surrounded by the renowned gardens that are now run by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. Nicolson was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, studying modern history. In 1939, he was appointed Deputy Surveyor of the King's Pictures under Kenneth Clark
Kenneth Clark
Kenneth McKenzie Clark, Baron Clark, OM, CH, KCB, FBA was a British author, museum director, broadcaster, and one of the best-known art historians of his generation...
, but soon after war was declared and he joined the Intelligence Corps, rising to the rank of Captain. In 1945 he resumed his Royal post as Deputy Surveyor, then under Anthony Blunt
Anthony Blunt
Anthony Frederick Blunt , was a British art historian who was exposed as a Soviet spy late in his life.Blunt was Professor of the History of Art at the University of London, director of the Courtauld Institute of Art, Surveyor of the King's Pictures and London...
.
After the war, Nicolson told his mother of having a homosexual relationship. Vita (herself a bisexual woman
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
with an open marriage
Open marriage
Open marriage typically refers to a marriage in which the partners agree that each may engage in extramarital sexual relationships, without this being regarded as infidelity. There are many different styles of open marriage, with the partners having varying levels of input on their spouse's...
) thought the relationship would jeopardise his position at court and urged him to marry instead. He was married on 8 August 1955 to Luisa Felicita Vertova, the elder daughter of Professor Giacomo Vertova of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, and they had a daughter, Vanessa Pepita Giovanna (b. 1956), before divorcing in 1962.
After being appointed a MVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, Nicolson resigned from the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
in 1947 and went on to edit Burlington Magazine. Nicolson spent much of his life collecting photographs of early seventeenth century works in the Caravaggio manner which he wrote about in the Burlington Magazine and which eventually filled three large volumes.
Nicolson died in 1978 and was buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Sissinghurst
Sissinghurst
Sissinghurst is a small village in the county of Kent in England. Originally called Milkhouse Street , Sissinghurst changed its name in the 1850s, possibly to avoid association with the smuggling and cockfighting activities of the Hawkhurst Gang.The nearest railway station is at...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, adjacent to his father.
Works
- The Painters of FerraraFerraraFerrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
(1950) - Hendrick Terbrugghen (1958)
- Wright of Derby: Painter of Light (1968)
- The Treasures of the Foundling HospitalFoundling HospitalThe Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
(1972) - CourbetGustave CourbetJean Désiré Gustave Courbet was a French painter who led the Realist movement in 19th-century French painting. The Realist movement bridged the Romantic movement , with the Barbizon School and the Impressionists...
: The Studio of the Painter (1973) - Georges de la TourGeorges de La TourGeorges de La Tour was a French Baroque painter, who spent most of his working life in the Duchy of Lorraine, which was temporarily absorbed into France between 1641 and 1648...
(1974)