James Henry Nixon


James Henry Nixon was an illustrator and painter during the Victorian period, who worked in the firm Ward and Nixon painting stain glass windows. James Henry Nixon was a protege of Charles Winston, who praised Nixon's work at Westminster Abbey and Church of Christ the King, Bloomsbury. The company Ward and Nixon was followed by Ward and Hughes.

Career

The company began in 1836 as Ward and Nixon, when James Henry Nixon joined forces with Thomas Ward. Nixon was a student of John Martin. From 1826-1829, Nixon painted the famous medieval stained glass in the Parish Church of St Neot, Cornwall. After that, Nixon exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1830-1847. He exhibited "Solomon's sacrifice" to outstanding reviews and the following year he exhibited "The resting of the Arc in the River Jordan". He made a window at New Lady chapel, St. Savior, Southwark in 1832. Nixon also illustrated the work of Sir Walter Scott. They created two windows for St. Edmunds, Lumbard St., London. They also installed a window in the east end of St Martin’s, Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire. He also illustrated the Eglinton Tournament of 1839.
Ward and Nixon's studio was at 67 Frith Street, Soho. They created large window for St Stephen Coleman Street, London. They were commissioned to do the south transept of Westminster Abbey. Charles Winston wrote,
In 1848, Thomas Ward died at age 71 and his part of the business was taken over by his nephew of the same name.
Perhaps the most prestigious stained glass commission of the 19th century, the re-glazing of the East Window of Lincoln Cathedral, went to Ward and Nixon in 1855. The largest 13th century window in the world, the simple harmony of the tracery in Geometric Decorated Gothic is the ultimate splendour in what has been acclaimed as "the finest cathedral in England".. Ward and Nixon used a conservative design, its overall appearance being in keeping with the date of the stonework and drawing for effect on the visual texture of the variations within its formal arrangement and the glorious luminescence of its colour.
In the 1857 Nixon died and his pupil, Henry Hughes, became the partner of Thomas Ward, and the business was renamed Ward and Hughes.

Gallery

Works by Nixon

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