Still Life, Roses and Book 1920

Samuel Peploe made this still life of roses and books with oil on canvas, and you can just see the traces of its making, can't you? I'm thinking about how this painting came into being, shifted, and emerged through trial, error, and intuition. What was it like to be Peploe, looking at these objects arranged on a table, trying to capture their essence with paint? It’s a kind of alchemy, isn’t it, turning everyday things into something magical on canvas. The paint is applied pretty thickly in some areas, like in those gorgeous blooms, while in other spots, it’s almost translucent. That contrast in texture adds so much depth and interest. And that deep blue, so gorgeous, reminds me of Matisse. It’s like Peploe is in conversation with all the painters who came before him, riffing on their ideas and adding his own unique voice to the mix. And now, here we are, looking at his painting, adding our own interpretations to the mix. It’s an ongoing dialogue, a beautiful exchange of ideas across time.