Joseph Nash
Encyclopedia
Joseph Nash was an English watercolour painter and lithographer, specialising in historical buildings. His major work was the 4-volume "Mansions of England in the Olden Time", published from 1839-49.
in Buckinghamshire
, the oldest son of the Reverend Okey Nash who owned Manor House School in Croydon
which Joseph went on to attend. He later studied with the artist and architect Augustus Charles Pugin
, with whom he travelled to France to assist and prepare architectural drawings for a book entitled "Paris and its Environs", published in 1830.
In the early stage of his career Nash was engaged on figure subjects illustrating the poets and novelists, and exhibited many drawings with the Society of Painters in Water Colours, of which he was elected an associate in 1834, and a full member in 1842. Of these pictures, some were engraved for "The Keepsake" and similar publications, but he later became well-known for his picturesque views of late Gothic buildings, which he peopled with figures grouped to illustrate the everyday life of their owners in times gone by - somewhat in the manner of George Cattermole
. Despite being involved in a number of disputes with the Society, he continued to exhibit his artwork there until 1875. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy
, British Institution
and the New watercolour Society
.
Having mastered the art of lithography
, Nash utilised it in the production of several excellent publications: "Architecture of the Middle Ages" appeared in 1838, and his four-volume masterpiece, "Mansions of England in the Olden Time" over a 10 year period from 1839, which involved Nash's travelling all over the country drawing house interiors and exteriors. He concentrated on the architectural aspects of the buildings, which, using the example of Joseph Strutt
, he brought to life with the inclusion of groups of people. The volumes were very popular, with the lithographs circulated widely by newspapers, architects and other artists. The book was so effective it was claimed in Parliament that it was causing an increasing number of people to visit historical buildings.
In 1846 he lithographed David Wilkie
's "Oriental Sketches" and in 1848 a set of views of Windsor Castle
from his own drawings. Other works to which Nash contributed were Lawson
's "Scotland Delineated" (1847–54), "Comprehensive Pictures of the Great Exhibition of 1851", McDermot's "The Merrie Days of England" (1858-9), and "Engish Ballads" (1864).
In 1854 he was described as suffering from "brain fever
" and sold his studio later that year - the quality of his work declined dramatically from then on. He died at Hereford Road, Bayswater
, London on 19 December 1878, having just a few months before been awarded a civil list pension of £100.
His only son, Joseph Nash Jnr., was a marine painter and also a member of the "Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours".
Biography
Nash was born in Great MarlowGreat Marlow
Great Marlow is a civil parish within Wycombe district in the English county of Buckinghamshire located north of the town of Marlow and south of High Wycombe. The parish includes the hamlets of Bovingdon Green, Burroughs Grove, Chisbridge Cross and Marlow Common, and Danesfield Base, a housing...
in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, the oldest son of the Reverend Okey Nash who owned Manor House School in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
which Joseph went on to attend. He later studied with the artist and architect Augustus Charles Pugin
Augustus Charles Pugin
Augustus Charles Pugin, born Auguste Charles Pugin, was an Anglo-French artist, architectural draughtsman, and writer on medieval architecture...
, with whom he travelled to France to assist and prepare architectural drawings for a book entitled "Paris and its Environs", published in 1830.
In the early stage of his career Nash was engaged on figure subjects illustrating the poets and novelists, and exhibited many drawings with the Society of Painters in Water Colours, of which he was elected an associate in 1834, and a full member in 1842. Of these pictures, some were engraved for "The Keepsake" and similar publications, but he later became well-known for his picturesque views of late Gothic buildings, which he peopled with figures grouped to illustrate the everyday life of their owners in times gone by - somewhat in the manner of George Cattermole
George Cattermole
George Cattermole was an English painter and illustrator, chiefly in watercolours. He was a friend of Charles Dickens and many other literary and artistic figures.-Life and work:...
. Despite being involved in a number of disputes with the Society, he continued to exhibit his artwork there until 1875. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
and the New watercolour Society
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours , initially called the New Society of Painters in Water Colours, , is one of the societies in the Federation of British Artists, based in the Mall Galleries in London.-History:In 1831 the society was founded as the New Society of Painters in Water...
.
Having mastered the art of lithography
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
, Nash utilised it in the production of several excellent publications: "Architecture of the Middle Ages" appeared in 1838, and his four-volume masterpiece, "Mansions of England in the Olden Time" over a 10 year period from 1839, which involved Nash's travelling all over the country drawing house interiors and exteriors. He concentrated on the architectural aspects of the buildings, which, using the example of Joseph Strutt
Joseph Strutt (engraver and antiquary)
Joseph Strutt was an English engraver, artist, antiquary and writer.-Childhood:Strutt was born at Springfield Mill in Chelmsford, Essex, the youngest son of Thomas Strutt by his wife Elizabeth - the mill belonged to his father, a wealthy miller...
, he brought to life with the inclusion of groups of people. The volumes were very popular, with the lithographs circulated widely by newspapers, architects and other artists. The book was so effective it was claimed in Parliament that it was causing an increasing number of people to visit historical buildings.
In 1846 he lithographed David Wilkie
David Wilkie (artist)
Sir David Wilkie was a Scottish painter.- Early life :Wilkie was the son of the parish minister of Cults in Fife. He developed a love for art at an early age. In 1799, after he had attended school at Pitlessie, Kettle and Cupar, his father reluctantly agreed to his becoming a painter...
's "Oriental Sketches" and in 1848 a set of views of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
from his own drawings. Other works to which Nash contributed were Lawson
John Parker Lawson
John Parker Lawson was a clergyman of the Episcopal Church of Scotland and historian.-Life:Ordained a minister in the Episcopal Church of Scotland, he was for some time a chaplain in the British Army...
's "Scotland Delineated" (1847–54), "Comprehensive Pictures of the Great Exhibition of 1851", McDermot's "The Merrie Days of England" (1858-9), and "Engish Ballads" (1864).
In 1854 he was described as suffering from "brain fever
Brain fever
Brain fever describes a medical condition where a part of the brain becomes inflamed and causes symptoms that present as fever. The terminology is dated, and is encountered most often in Victorian literature...
" and sold his studio later that year - the quality of his work declined dramatically from then on. He died at Hereford Road, Bayswater
Bayswater
Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west . It is a built-up district located 3 miles west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park over Kensington Gardens and having a population density of...
, London on 19 December 1878, having just a few months before been awarded a civil list pension of £100.
His only son, Joseph Nash Jnr., was a marine painter and also a member of the "Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours".
External links
- Joseph Nash on Artnet
- The Drawing Room, Broughton Castle (Watercolour, 1869 - Hargrave Fine Art)
- The Porch of a Medieval Church (Watercolour)