1924 (first abstract painting, Chelsea)

Ben Nicholson’s 1924 (first abstract painting, Chelsea) marks a pivotal moment in the artist’s transition into Abstract art. Created between 1923 and 1924, this work exemplifies Nicholson’s early exploration of abstract forms, emphasizing geometric shapes and tonal harmony. Executed on canvas, the piece combines traditional oil painting techniques with delicate use of graphite, reflecting a refined interplay between texture and line. The title situates the work historically and geographically in Chelsea, highlighting its significance as one of Nicholson’s first ventures into non-representational composition within the early 20th-century modernist movement.