Paul Nash: The Elements

Once notorious as an English surrealist, Paul Nash is now one of the country’s most respected modern British artists. Dulwich Picture Gallery is showing 60 of his finest works.

 

Landscape of the Vernal Equinox 1943, Paul Nash
Landscape of the Vernal Equinox 1943, Paul Nash

Paul Nash, The Elements, at Dulwich Picture Gallery shows his beautiful peaceful landscapes of the English South Downs and contrasts them with strange flooded rooms and classic images from his work as a war artists in two World Wars.

Something of a rebel in the art world, Paul Nash (1889-1946) is also known for earlier surrealist and symbolist works and there are hints of these techniques in some of his later landscapes. However, nature was always his inspiration. Covering the whole of his career, the exhibition includes paintings, watercolours and photographs; many are from private collections and rarely on view to the public. Runs to 9 May. Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London SE21; tel: (020) 8693 5254. Report by Pat Moore.

Images: Landscape of the Vernal Equinox, 1943, The Royal Collection c2009, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Event on the Downs 1934, The Government Art Collection (UK), cTate London 2009.