Trees at Cassis 

'Trees at Cassis' is an oil on canvas painting by Samuel Peploe, a Scottish Colourist, made sometime during his career. Peploe, along with other Scottish artists, were drawn to the South of France in the early 20th century, a time when travel and art were becoming increasingly entwined with societal shifts in class and leisure. Notice how Peploe’s impressionistic brushstrokes capture the sun-drenched atmosphere of Cassis, a fishing port near Marseille. The buildings are bleached to white, and the trees are in greens and blues. This particular perspective, with the large trees framing buildings, offers a carefully constructed composition that invites us into this Mediterranean space. What does it mean to be an artist, seeking inspiration in new locales? Peploe himself said he sought “the ecstasy of seeing.” Through this lens, consider the painting as an emotional translation of a specific time and place. It encourages reflection on how location and lived experiences can shape our perceptions and artistic expressions.