Tulips 

Tulips is an oil on canvas painting by the Scottish Post-Impressionist artist Samuel Peploe, who lived from 1871 to 1935. Peploe, as a member of the Scottish Colourists, found himself amidst the shifting dynamics of early 20th-century Europe, a period marked by industrial change, social upheaval, and the looming shadow of war. In Tulips we see Peploe's concern for the formal qualities of painting: color, light, and composition. Yet, it's impossible to separate this still life from the cultural context in which it was created. The choice of tulips, a flower associated with luxury and the Dutch Golden Age, suggests a longing for beauty and refinement amidst the era's anxieties. Through his distinct brushstrokes and treatment of light, Peploe is offering an alternative narrative to the traditional, academic art of his time, charting a course towards modernism. He seems to be inviting us into a quiet, introspective space, a haven from the clamor and chaos of the outside world. Tulips ultimately reflects an intimate emotional landscape, and it serves as a potent reminder of the power of art to both reflect and reshape our perceptions of the world.