Beauty in Plainness: William Scott in Somerset

William Scott: Spotlight Loan Exhibition at the Museum of Somerset

Experience the bold, abstract works of British art icon William Scott. Three major paintings from the Tate collection are on display in this exclusive Spotlight Loan exhibition.

William Scott CBE RA (1913-1989) was a pioneering abstract painter, best known for his distinctive still life and landscape compositions. After settling in Somerset in the 1940s, he taught at the Bath Academy of Art for ten years and became a key figure in the post-war British art scene. In the 1950s, Scott developed a close friendship with American artist Mark Rothko, who visited and stayed with him in Somerset in 1959.

This exhibition features three large-scale works from this pivotal period in Scott’s career, offering a rare chance to experience his bold, expressive art up close. An animated film further explores the artist’s vision and life in Somerset. 

The Museum of Somerset is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm.

Image credit: Ochre Still Life, 1958, William Scott 1913-1989. Tate, Purchased 1962. © The estate of William Scott. Photo: Tate.