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An Alphabet by William Nicholson

An Alphabet by William Nicholson
An Alphabet by William Nicholson
Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson's delightful illustrated alphabet dates from the late 19th century, and yet the striking woodcut prints seem far more contemporary in their design. The animated characters span different eras and classes, encompassing a whole cross-section of British society from a beggar to an earl, from a lady to a villain and from an artist to a zoologist.

In fact, the first picture in the series, entitled 'A was an Artist', represents a portrait of the artist himself. 'An Alphabet' is perhaps one of Nicholson's better known bodies of work, but he was an accomplished portrait, landscape and still-life painter. He also designed costumes and sets for a number of theatre productions.