Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Nicholls, Sutton
NICHOLLS, SUTTON (fl. 1700–1740), draughtsman and engraver, is mentioned by Vertue in his diaries as among the engravers living in London in 1713. Nicholls drew and engraved a large number of views of places and buildings in London for the ‘Prospects of the Most Considerable Buildings about London’ (1725), published by John Bowles. These views, though of little artistic importance, are of the greatest possible antiquarian interest, especially the numerous views of the then newly formed squares, the Charterhouse, the old Royal Exchange, General Post Office, &c. Some views by Nicholls were published in Stow's ‘Survey,’ edited by Strype, 1720, 2 vols. fol. Nicholls also drew and engraved some large general birdseye views of London. He engraved a few portraits ‘ad vivum,’ mostly for booksellers, including one, dated 1710, of ‘Prince George's Cap Woman, Yorkshire Nan.’ We learn from one of his prints that he lived in Aldersgate Street, near the Half-Moon Tavern. A few etchings by him are known; an anonymous portrait of Nicholls is mentioned by Bromley.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Dodd's manuscript Hist. of English Engravers (Brit. Mus. Addit. MS. 33403); Vertue's Diaries (Brit. Mus. Addit. MS. 23070).]