William Edouard Scott 1884 - 1964

Private Collection, France
Acquired by the present owner from the above

This work is in good condition. There is some paint separation in white areas across the center register, and minor frame abrasion at the edges. Under UV: there are two thin horizontal lines of inpainting, most likely to address minor splits in the panel, and a few scattered dots of inpainting, mostly in the sky. There is inpainting to address frame abrasion at the edges.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, William Edouard Scott was an African American artist who had an extremely successful and varied career.  He moved to Chicago in 1904 to study at the Art Institute of Chicago during which time he was commissioned to paint murals in local schools.  These works represent some of the earliest depictions of African Americans in public art and were the first of a number of murals Scott would paint throughout his life.  He left Chicago for Paris in 1909 where he studied with and was greatly influenced by Henry Ossawa Tanner through whom he met Hale Woodruff and other artists working abroad.  Several years later Scott returned to attend classes at the Académies Julien and Colarossi.  During this time he exhibited works at the Paris Salon and the Royal Academy in London.  In 1914 Scott returned to America, traveling throughout the south in order to depict aspects of African American life.  He also depicted African American soldiers during World War I. 

Scott was awarded a Julius Rosenwald Fellowship to work in Haiti and spent thirteen months on the island from 1931-32.  Greatly inspired by the tropical scenery and local population, he produced over 100 paintings.  Fisherman is a superb example of these works and demonstrates Scott’s adoption of a brighter palette and more painterly approach.  He exhibited all of his Haitian paintings in the capital at the end of his stay to great acclaim and 12 works were purchased by the nation’s president.  Upon his return to the States, Scott enrolled in the Federal Art Project and worked on murals for the Chicago Worlds Fair.  His work is in the collections of the Tate Gallery, London, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. and Guggenheim Museum, New York among others.