Boy Reading 1923

Editor: Here we have Samuel Peploe’s “Boy Reading” from 1923, an oil painting that shows a young boy engrossed in a book. The brushstrokes are really visible and give the whole piece this kind of intimate feeling. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The piece resonates with the societal expectations placed upon young men of that era. Look closely at the boy's posture, the formal suit, and the very act of reading. Peploe presents us not just with a portrait, but also a glimpse into the construction of masculinity through education and societal expectations in the early 20th century. What do you think that book symbolizes in relation to the boy? Editor: Perhaps it’s about the pressure to conform and assimilate through knowledge? Or maybe, escapism. Curator: Exactly! The "boy reading" can be interpreted as being a symbol of societal pressure or aspiration, but it also makes you wonder about how this boy sees himself. What narrative does the act of reading create for him? Editor: I see. I guess it’s easy to look at these portraits without considering the deeper societal messages they convey. Curator: And remember the artist’s own context. As a Scottish Colourist, how might Peploe be engaging with or subverting the established traditions of portraiture at the time? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. It really makes you question the role of artists in reflecting and shaping societal norms and expectations, and what role portraits play. I learned so much more about "Boy Reading."