Born in Lincoln, New Zealand in 1886, Archibald Nicoll studied in Christchurch under Sydney Thompson while working in a shipping office. He then taught at the Elam School of Art in Auckland until 1910 when he spent four years in Europe exhibiting in Edinburgh and wiith the Royal Academy. While serving in World War I with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force he was wounded and demobilised. In 1920 Nicoll was appointed director of the Canterbury School of Art. He exhibited with New Zealand and Australian societies, and in 1928 became a full time portrait painter. Many of his portraits are held in the National Gallery, Wellington and in major galleries in New Zealand and overseas.
The total number of works by Archibald Nicoll offered for sale by auction since 1978 is 250, of which 190 (76%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $17,235 for Portrait of Sq. Leader L. H. Trent Vc Dfc (1928-1934) sold by Dunbar Sloane in November 2008. This year 5 works have been offered for sale. Works by Archibald Nicoll are held by the Christchurch Art Gallery, Museum Of New Zealand and a further two major public national galleries (see list below).
Archibald Frank Nicoll is listed in the following standard biographical references:
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
No, ineligible. The artist has been deceased for more than 70 years.
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