The Lobster 1903

Samuel Peploe’s “The Lobster” is a still life painting, probably made in the early 20th century, that explores the process of seeing. It’s about paint, but it's also about looking. Peploe's mark-making is so immediate, like he's just sketching with the brush. Look at how he lays down the color for the lobster; it’s all about capturing the essence of “red,” not about blending or perfecting. The materiality of the paint is so present. You can almost feel the thickness and see how each stroke builds up the form. It’s so interesting how the lemon sits so perfectly on the plate, and the plate sits so perfectly on the table. It's a painting about weight, pressure, and geometry. Peploe reminds me a little of Manet, especially in the boldness of his brushwork and the way he simplifies forms. Both artists teach us that a painting doesn't have to explain everything, it just has to invite us to look. The real story happens in our own minds.