Ben Nicholson was a British abstract painter, widely regarded as one of the leading figures in the modernist movement in the United Kingdom. Born in 1894 in Denham, Buckinghamshire, he was the son of artists Sir William Nicholson and Mabel Pryde. Nicholson's early work was influenced by Post-Impressionism and Cubism, but he later became a pioneer in the field of abstract art, particularly in the genres of Constructivism and Geometric Abstraction. His compositions often featured simple geometric shapes, clean lines, and a limited color palette, aiming to achieve a sense of harmony and balance.

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Nicholson's work gained international recognition, and he was a key member of various art groups, including Unit One and the St Ives School. He was also married to the sculptor Barbara Hepworth, and their artistic collaboration had a significant impact on both of their careers.