Photo credit: Aliona Adrianova
Awards & Affiliations
Welcome to Nicholls Art Group, your premier destination for expert art advisory and TV programming. Led by James, a distinguished art critic and presenter with over 30 years of global experience, we specialise in personalised art market guidance.
Our services encompass procurement, curation, and management of artworks, ensuring bespoke solutions for our clients. We are passionate about making art accessible, collaborating with museums, auction houses, and galleries to source the finest pieces. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, our dedication to excellence and in-depth industry knowledge will meet your art-related needs.
Featured Artist
A Royal Encounter! Nicholls Art Group and First Freedom Art Company, Houston - present an exclusive display of Arnold Friberg RSA’s historic Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the artist’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police series. VIP Preview at Parliament, London
Arnold Friberg
Image courtesy of First Freedom Art Company ©️ 1994 First Freedom Art Company. All rights reserved
The Queen loved horses and welcomed a portrait on horseback with her favourite ‘Centenial’ (she changed the spelling by deleting an ’n'). Practicalities, however, intervened: horses don’t enjoy indoor sittings or standing still, and Friberg’s priority was to depict the Queen perfectly. His ingenious solution was to construct a wooden horse for the sittings and add the real horse’s features later. Her Majesty loved the idea; it made her laugh and helped cement a warm rapport.
Friberg had already painted a life-size portrait of The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) - with the same horse, further deepening his royal connection. He was also granted the rare honour of a studio at Buckingham Palace for two months to complete the Queen’s portrait.
These paintings by Friberg will be featured in a public exhibition in London, early 2026. The preview event this week in London celebrates not only a distinguished artist and a timeless royal portrait, but also the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and the wider Commonwealth - a testament to the power of art to connect cultures and history, and to international respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Our thanks to Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent of the Daily Mail.
New Feature
From Garden to Canvas: Interview with Philip Mould on Cedric Morris & Benton End
A pleasure to speak with renowned art dealer and TV presenter Philip Mould for 'The Art Review’ at his vibrant new exhibition – where painting, horticulture, and history bloom together at Philip Mould & Company, London.
New Featured Event
James Nicholls Presents: THE ART REVIEW at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition!
One of the most prestigious events in the European art calendar, held in May at the Mall Galleries, London.
This landmark exhibition presents the very best in contemporary portraiture, showcasing works selected from both national and international submissions. From celebrated public commissions to powerful works by emerging artists, the emotional depth and artistic range on display are exceptional.
