Paper

Student Artwork Guide

View from a Window, Nice

Name Class Date

Paul Nash, View from a Window, Nice (1934). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Paul Nash topimpressionists.com/en/artists/paul-nash/
Artist’s dates
1889 – 1946
Painted
1934
Original size
64 x 46 cm

In context

View from a Window, Nice — Paul Nash

How big is it?

The original measures 64 × 46 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 57 at death.

Painted when the artist was 45. The artist lived to 57. 51 of the 92 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Nash (1889–1946) ▲ this work, 1934 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1924 Main working years: 1924–1938 Late works: from 1938

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Gray #8ba09a

    Catalogued palette

    • #8BA09A
    • #DBE2D6
    • #827861
    • #AAC1B9

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Gray
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Paul Nash over the last twelve months — 9 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 50.0%
    2. 2 Singapore 11.1%
    3. 3 United States of America 11.1%
    4. 4 Italy 8.3%
    5. 5 United Kingdom 5.6%
    6. 6 Hong Kong 5.6%
    7. 7 Germany 2.8%
    8. 8 Japan 2.8%
    9. 9 Venezuela 2.8%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Paul Nash

    1. 1 Landscape of the Moon's Last Phase, 1944 7.0%
    2. 2 Harbour and Room, 1932 7.0%
    3. 3 Nest of the Siren, 1930 4.7%
    4. 4 Telecommunications, 1934 4.7%
    5. 5 Landscape (verso), 1939 4.7%
    6. 6 Landscape of the Megaliths, 1934 4.7%
    7. 7 Landscape of the Malvern Distance, 1943 4.7%
    8. 8 Landscape from a Dream, 1936 4.7%
    9. 9 Landscape of the Bagley Woods, 1943 4.7%
    10. 10 Whiteleaf Cross, 1931 2.3%
    11. 11 Michaelmas Landscape, 1943 2.3%
    12. 12 A Howitzer Firing, 1918 2.3%
    13. 13 Dead Spring, 1929 2.3%
    14. 14 The Pond at Souldern, 1926 2.3%
    15. 15 Oxford During the War, 1942 2.3%
    16. 16 Event on the Downs, 1934 2.3%
    17. 17 Landscape at Iden, 1929 2.3%
    18. 18 We Are Making a New World, 1918 2.3%
    19. 19 Composition (Design for Today), 1934 2.3%
    20. — View from a Window, Nice, 1934 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 69.9% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 99 works by this artist, of which 32 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    About this artwork

    View from a Window, Nice — Paul Nash

    The painting View from a Window, Nice by Paul Nash is a captivating artwork that showcases the artist's unique perspective on the world. Created in 1934, this oil painting measures 64 x 46 cm and is currently housed at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in the United Kingdom.

    Composition and Style

    The painting features a waterfront scene with a prominent number two displayed in the middle. The background boasts majestic mountains and a serene body of water, while trees surround the area, adding to the natural beauty of the scene. People are also visible in the image, likely enjoying the view or going about their daily activities. Key elements of the painting include the use of bold colors and geometric shapes, which were characteristic of Paul Nash's style. The artist's ability to balance composition and color is evident in this piece, making it a standout work in his oeuvre.

    Artist and Museum

    Paul Nash was a British artist known for his contributions to the development of modern art in the UK. His works can be found in various museums, including the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, which is introduced on https://AllPaintingsStore.com. For more information on Paul Nash and his works, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com.

    Other notable artists featured on https://AllPaintingsStore.com include Thomas Hart Benton and Pierre Bonnard.

    Their works, such as Lord Heal the Child and Landing Stage, showcase a range of styles and techniques.

    Handmade oil painting reproductions of View from a Window, Nice are available on https://AllPaintingsStore.com, allowing art enthusiasts to own a piece of history. For more information on the painting and the artist, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com.

    The beauty of View from a Window, Nice lies in its unique blend of composition, color, and style, making it a must-see for art lovers.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Paul Nash

    Born in Kensington, United Kingdom

    Early Life and Influences

    Born: Kensington, United Kingdom (1889)

    Died: 1946

    Paul Nash was born on May 11, 1889, in London. His father, William Harry Nash, was a barrister, and his mother, Caroline Maude, displayed signs of mental illness from an early age. The family moved to Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, when Paul was young, a move intended to benefit his mother's health.

    Education: He attended the Parsons School of Art and later the Slade School of Fine Art. While proficient in landscape painting, he struggled with figure drawing.

    Early Influences: Nash was heavily influenced by William Blake and J.M.W. Turner, evident in his early works. He also drew inspiration from landscapes featuring ancient historical elements like burial mounds and Iron Age hill forts.

    Artistic Style and Development

    Style: Paul Nash's style blended modernism with traditional techniques. He utilized bold colors, geometric shapes, and abstract forms, distinguishing him from contemporaries.

    Surrealist Leanings: While not strictly a Surrealist, Nash was influenced by the movement, particularly after seeing a Giorgio de Chirico exhibition in 1928. His work incorporated symbolic landscapes with everyday objects.

    War Art: During World War I and II, Nash served as an official war artist. His depictions of battlefields were notable for their haunting beauty and exploration of the impact of conflict on the landscape. Notable works include "The Menin Road."

    "Aerial Creatures": A series produced during WWII featuring anthropomorphic depictions of aircraft crashed in landscapes, demonstrating his evolving style and symbolism.

    Major Achievements and Recognition

    Pioneer of British Modernism: Nash played a crucial role in shaping British modern art, bridging traditional landscape painting with modernist aesthetics.

    War Art Legacy: His wartime paintings are considered iconic representations of the conflict's impact on both soldiers and the environment.

    Unit One Group: He co-founded Unit One in 1933 alongside Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth, a significant group within the British art scene.

    Writer and Designer: Beyond painting, Nash was also a respected writer on art and designed applied arts such as stage scenery, fabrics, and posters.

    Influences and Legacy

    Influence on Subsequent Artists: Nash's unique style and use of color influenced generations of artists who followed.

    Connection to Romanticism: His work is often linked to the English Romantic tradition, particularly through his connection to William Blake and J.M.W. Turner.

    Exploration of Man vs. Nature: A recurring theme in Nash's later works was the relationship between humanity and nature, explored through symbolic imagery.

    Continued Relevance: His paintings continue to be celebrated for their beauty, symbolism, and historical significance, remaining relevant to contemporary audiences.

    Exhibitions and Collections

    Ruskin Gallery: Nash's work has been exhibited at the Ruskin Gallery in the United Kingdom.

    Tate Britain: His pieces can be found within the Tate Britain’s collection.

    Imperial War Museum: Several of his war art pieces are housed in the Imperial War Museum.

    York Art Gallery: His work is also part of the York Art Gallery's collection.

    Government Art Collection: A selection of Nash’s artworks are displayed within the Government Art Collection.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Paul Nash topimpressionists.com/en/artists/paul-nash/
    • Similar works More works to compare topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for View from a Window, Nice

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Nash, Paul. View from a Window, Nice. 1934, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/
    APA
    Nash, Paul (1934). View from a Window, Nice [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/
    Chicago
    Paul Nash. View from a Window, Nice. 1934. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/
    Harvard
    Nash, Paul (1934) View from a Window, Nice. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/paul-nash-view-from-a-window-nice-AQRJU4-en/

    Look closely

    View from a Window, Nice — Paul Nash

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: buildings. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Eclipse of the Sunflower (1945), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Paul Nash was about 45 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    How does "View from a Window, Nice" balance light and dark?

    "View from a Window, Nice" by Paul Nash is recorded as brilliant, with a bright balance luminance.

    What is the format of "View from a Window, Nice"?

    "View from a Window, Nice" by Paul Nash is a portrait composition. The proportions are worth checking before choosing a print size.

    What color saturation does "View from a Window, Nice" by Paul Nash have?

    The colors of "View from a Window, Nice" by Paul Nash have a muted saturation. Saturation describes how vivid or muted the colors are.