William Scott, R.A.

Acquired by a Private Collection directly from the Artist circa 1959-60
Sale, Christie's London, 26th October 1994, lot 135, where acquired by the present owner

Unexamined out of frame. The work is formed of two sheets joined vertically down the left hand side. The work appears adhered to a backing card at intervals along the extreme edges, but does not appear fully laid down. There is very minor cockling to the sheet, with minor handling marks apparent upon close inspection. There are traces of possible studio detritus and staining to the sheet, including to areas in the top corners which may have previously marked points of adhesion to a backing card. There is a further very minor crease to the bottom right hand extreme edge, but this excepting the work appears in very good overall condition, with fresh, strong passages of charcoal throughout. Housed behind Perspex in a thin light wooden frame, float-mounted within a cream card mount. Unexamined out of frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work is registered with the William Scott Archive as number 2326.

'When I make drawings they are not made as visual data for a specific painting, but for my paintings in the plural. I draw to shock myself out of too easy rhythm - I may begin with no conception whatever, an image merges (almost always an image I am obsessed with). I rub it out and begin again, searching for its counterpart. When it appears I invariably find that the thing I draw is at my elbow, it is out of the window, or has been standing at my front door for a long time.'

William Scott, artist’s statement, published in Lawrence Alloway’s Nine Abstract Artists, 1954, p.38.