S otheby's are delighted to present a fabulous selection of Scottish Art spanning over 150 years of Scottish Art History. The sale is led by a strong group of works by the Scottish Colourists including major paintings by Samuel John Peploe, John Duncan Ferguson and George Leslie Hunter. Sotheby's are honoured to be offering seven works by Orcadian artist Stanley Cursiter from the Robetson Collection, the finest private collection of Cursiter's work. Sotheby's are also delighted to present a group of works from the Collection of George Watson's College, Edinburgh, sold to establish a curated art collection fund. Elsewhere in the sale many of Scotlands most famous and celebrated artists are represented including Sir Robin Philipson, Joan Eardley, Dame Elizabeth Blackadder and John Bellany amongst many others.
Stanley Cursiter is one of Scotland's most celebrated Artists of the 20th Century and probably the greatest Orcadian painter of modern times. He played a pivotal role in introducing post-Impressionism and Futurism to Scotland. His works of his native Orkney stand as testament to this rugged and sweeping landscape and to its people. As Director of the National Galleries of Scotland Cursiter was instrumental in the establishement of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, a lasting gift to the Scottish nation. Sotheby's are honoured to present a group of works by Cursiter from the collection of the late John Robertson, C.B.E. (1929 - 2015) a hugely important figure in the social and cultural fabric of Orkney and a great art collector who had a particular connection and friendship with Stanley Cursiter.
The following works come from George Watson's College in Edinburgh and have been deaccessioned from the School's collection. From the bucolic watercolours of William Gillies’ Border country to the gritty realism of Peter Howson, the group is an eclectic survey of 20th century Scottish art. One of the highlights is an exquisite street scene by Francis Cadell, dating from early on in the artist’s career. These pictures are brought to auction to establish a curated art fund. The purpose of this fund will be to promote the appreciation of fine art by pupils of the school and others. This will be done in a variety of ways, including the future purchase of works of art and the improvement of facilities for the making, display and interpretation of Fine and Decorative Art at the School.
