Burr Nicholls studied in Paris with Charles Carolus-Duran. He was a member of the Buffalo Society of Art and exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Association, National Academy of Design, Paris Salon, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Art Institute of Chicago and the Boston Art Club. He worked with fellow Buffalo native Frank Penfold at the art colony of Pont-Aven.

Views of Venice like this one were one of his specialties.