William Scott

Display caption

In 1956 Scott made a number of fiercely erotic, large, rough textured drawings of nudes, generally seated or reclining and often wearing stockings. Their rounded-off rectangular bodies and tapering limbs could relate to the work of the sculptor Kenneth Armitage. The two artists were close friends and their work at the time had something in common. The previous year Scott had seen the paleolithic cave drawings at Lascaux in France and at Altamira in Spain and in 1956 he visited Pompeii. These experiences were to have a liberating effect on the style and content of his drawings. Most of the drawings made in 1956 were not exhibited at once and remained unknown for fifteen years after their execution.

Gallery label, September 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Read more