National Galleries of Scotland

Drawing was always important to Scott. His charcoal drawings of 1956 offer more fluid lines than those of 1954, which are angular and brutal at times. Scott?s mode of reduction and reworking are central to these drawings, and build to create a vibrant, energetic composition. This larger-than-life-size work, is distinctly of this period, yet its pose is firmly rooted in art history ? referencing Giorgione?s `Sleeping Venus? and Manet?s `Olympia?. However, unlike Giorgione?s sleeping beauty, Scott?s nude is very much awake and props herself up. She wears a shoe like Manet?s Olympia, but in contrast her legs are apart rather than elegantly crossed. As Scott stated: ?Drawing for me is exploring not explaining, containing geometry, sex, distortion and correction, forms pure and impure?.