Iona 1930

Samuel Peploe captured the rugged Scottish landscape in paintings like this one, using oil paint on canvas. Notice the thick, expressive brushstrokes, and how Peploe manipulated the viscosity of the paint, creating a textured surface that mirrors the uneven terrain of Iona. The strokes are not blended smoothly but laid down with a direct, almost sculptural touch. This painterly approach emphasizes the act of making, showcasing the artist's physical engagement with the material. Peploe aligns himself with a longer tradition of landscape painting, yet the energetic handling of the paint gives the image a distinctive modern feel. His process emphasizes the materiality of paint itself, elevating it beyond mere representation. Considering the labor involved—the mixing of pigments, stretching of canvas, and the physical act of painting—Peploe transforms the landscape into a testament to the power and possibility inherent in simple materials. By appreciating the making, we can see how the artwork blurs the boundaries between fine art and the skilled traditions of craft.