The Economist charts the growth of William Scott’s auction market

The Economist focuses on William Scott as the sales of British pictures approaches later this week. Scott’s work has been gaining momentum:

Highly sought after by private collectors on both sides of the Atlantic, Scott’s best work has increased considerably in price over the last four years. Newly rich Irish buyers have helped. In 1996 a late nude entitled “Figure” came up for auction with an estimate of £25,000-35,000. It failed to sell. Last year Christie’s put the picture up for sale again, this time with an estimate of £50,000-80,000. It made £176,000.

In November 2006, Christie’s sold a 1956 blue still life for £590,000. A year later the same buyer was back, snapping up another blue still life, this time for £457,000. He is said to be interested in “Bowl, Eggs and Lemons”.

Meanwhile, his children are forging ahead with their campaign to get a royalty for artists codified in the UK. For more information on Scott, his estate maintains a good website and Christie’s has information here about all of the Scotts in their 20th Century British paintings sale on June 6th.