“Stop and look closely at this early work by Winifred Nicholson. It’s a vibrant example of her distinctive use of color and form, balancing delicate graphite with luminous gouache to create a sense of dynamic energy.”
In Winifred Nicholson's "Coss Ballance II," a dynamic interplay of forms and colors unfolds across the paper. The composition centers on a cluster of objects, possibly flowers or abstract shapes, rendered with a vibrant energy that suggests movement and light. The gouache medium, with its opaque and luminous qualities, allows for a rich layering of hues, from soft pastels to more saturated tones. Graphite lines are visible, providing structure and definition, hinting at an underlying drawing that grounds the fluid colors. This work, created early in Nicholson's career, captures a moment of exploration in her approach to still life, moving beyond mere representation to evoke a sense of living presence through color and form.
- Artist
- Winifred Nicholson
- Date
- 1913
- Medium
- Gouache with graphite, on ivory wove paper
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 35.3 × 50.4 cm (13 15/16 × 19 7/8 in.)
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the delicate graphite lines beneath the gouache.
Notice the varying opacity of the colors, from sheer to dense.
Look for the subtle shifts in tone that create depth.
See how the shapes seem to almost float or dance across the paper.
Winifred Nicholson
1893–1981 · United KingdomWinifred Nicholson, a British painter, captured the vibrant essence of still lifes and landscapes, often exploring the interplay of light and color.
Further Works by Nicholson
More works to explore
Beyond Nicholson: works from the same years.
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray
Piet Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Bull's Head
Mikhail Larionov · 1913 · Tretyakov Gallery
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Erich Heckel and Otto Mueller Playing Chess
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1913 · Brücke Museum
Same era · 1890s–1920s
The Lineman
Ivan Puni · 1927 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Sirmione
John Singer Sargent · 1913 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Still Life with Glass, Dice, Newspaper and Playing Card
Georges Braque · 1913 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Street Cart
Egon Schiele · 1914 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1890s–1920s
The Magic Foot-ball, 'I thought you were wrong,' he said in triumph. 'You said it was nine! Stupid!'
Norman Rockwell · 1914 · Norman Rockwell Museum
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Birth
Marc Chagall · 1911 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Irises
Claude Monet · 1915 · National Gallery
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Man with a Pipe
Pablo Picasso · 1915 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1890s–1920s
Apples
Henri Matisse · 1916 · Art Institute of Chicago




