Since joining the Sotheby’s team in 2016, Tom Podd has been putting his experience in auction houses and extensive knowledge of Scottish art to good use in the annual Scottish Art sale. As highlights of the sale are previewed in an Edinburgh exhibition opening on Tuesday 1 November, Podd took part in a Q&A to give us an insight into the world of an art specialist and his passion for Scotland's artistic output.

^{Tom Podd}

What is it you love about Scottish art?

I love how varied Scottish art is, going from traditional paintings by artists such as Raeburn and Farquharson, through to the development of modernism in Scottish painting, firstly with the Glasgow Boys and then the Scottish Colourists.  Into the 20^th century, and even more contemporary into the 21^st century, we see just how varied the artists from Scotland have become.  I also love how Scottish art has its own identity and that there is this wonderful conversation between Scottish Art and French Modernism at the beginning of the 20^th century, with many Scottish artists travelling to France and Paris, bypassing the established institutions south of the border and in London.

Who do you feel is the greatest Scottish artist?

Perhaps an obvious choice but Samuel John Peploe is one of the great figures, not just in Scottish art, but in the history of British painting during the 20^th century. He is, in my opinion, the greatest British still painter of his age, if not ever!  I think also Peploe formed a vital link between Post-impressionism and French modernism on the Continent and the UK.  He studied in France, he absorbed the influence of French masters such as Manet, Cezanne and Matisse, and he translated this in his own uniquely Scottish way, bringing these modern techniques and influences and infusing them with a distinctly northern vision and light.

^{Lothian Landscape by William Gillies}

What would you love to hang on your wall?

In terms of Scottish works, I’d love to have a little watercolour landscape by William Gillies - we actually have two lovely Gillies watercolour landscapes coming up for sale from a collection of Scottish works being sold on behalf of George Watson’s College. 

I would also love a work by Joan Eardley who I admire greatly. Particularly one of her characterful Glasgow pastels or incredible Catterline landscapes!

How has the Scottish art market changed over the last 20 years?

Sotheby’s is very proud to have been at the forefront of the Scottish art market since we first held sales in Scotland over 40 years ago.  I think most recently the Scottish art market has developed into a truly international market, and that’s particularly true of the Scottish Colourists, who are probably Scotland’s greatest artistic export.  They are collected all over the world in North America, in Asia, and of course all over Europe, so I would say that the market has become truly international, and Sotheby’s are very proud to continue to lead the market through our Scottish Art sales each autumn.

Is there a particularly memorable collection you have worked on?

I’d have to reference the Harrison Collection here: probably one of the greatest private collections of Scottish Colourist works in existence. Assembled in the 1920s and 30s by Major Ion Harrison, an important patron and close friend of the artists, the collection featured some of the finest Colourist paintings by George Leslie Hunter, Samuel John Peploe, Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell and John Duncan Fergusson. 

I was also fortunate enough to work on the sale of the collection of David Bowie who had some amazing Scottish works.  He had a particular friendship and connection with Scottish artist John Bellany and we sold some incredible pictures from the sale back in 2016.  The entire collection was split into three sales which, combined, totalled over a staggering £32 million!

^{Reflection by F.C.B. Cadell} 

What is your most valuable Scottish picture you’ve sold?

This would be ‘Reflection’, a masterpiece by the Scottish Colourist F.C.B. Cadell, which has twice broken the auction record for the artist; firstly when we sold it in 2018 as part of the Harrison Collection for £874,000 and more recently when we sold it again in our Jubilee British Art Sale this summer for £942,500.

Do you have any advice for people interested in a career within the art world?

The most important thing to do is go and see as much art as possible. Visit as many exhibitions as you can, from differing styles and periods – try and be as diverse as you can in what you’re absorbing, because you can’t really learn about art until you’re stood in front of it.  Then try and get as much experience as you can, any work experience you can do at institutions, galleries, auction houses etc, that’s all really worthwhile and relevant, and actually, it’s an industry where experience counts for a lot.

^{Painting by John Duncan Fergusson}

The Sotheby’s Scottish Art Sale will be on view to the public in The Edinburgh Grand, Fourth Floor, from 1–3 November, with the online sale taking place in London from 16–22 November and the live Scottish & Irish Art auction is on 23 November. 

If you have artwork or collectables that you wish to have valued or appraised for sale please contact:

Thomas Podd
Deputy Director, Modern British & Irish Art
Head of Scottish Art
T: +44 (0)20 7293 5497
E: [email protected]

Charlotte Canby
Regional Office Manager, Edinburgh
T: +44 (0)131 225 9783
M: +44 (0)7515 608 292
E: [email protected]

Sotheby’s
The Edinburgh Grand
42 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh
EH2 2AD

Find out more at sothebys.com/en.