William Scott, 1913 –1989

Breton Nude

Oil on canvas, 1939

Breton Nude was actually painted on the Mediterranean coast at Cagnes-sur-Mer. William Scott's wife Mary sat as his model for this painting whilst they were living in France. They ran a summer painting school in Pont-Aven, Brittany with former Slade student, Geoffrey Nelson, before returning to England at the outbreak of war. Breton Nude is a typical work from this period of Scott's career. He painted many portraits of his wife all with similar dark, lifeless, almond eyes. In Breton Nude, Scott beautifully captures the light falling onto the upper body and cheeks. However, the combination of bold blocks of colour and delicate use of line make the figure appear flattened.

Presented by the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery, 1977