Pink Roses 

Samuel Peploe’s still life painting presents us with pink roses, painted with oil on canvas. Peploe was a Scottish Colourist, whose artistic development took place in early 20th century Europe, when the rules around gender and class were being challenged. Peploe, part of the Scottish Colourists movement, engaged with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which valued personal expression. These values can be seen in his painting, with the arrangement of roses and fruit which reflect this idea of freedom. Roses are a subject that can be loaded with the history of painting. Peploe’s paintings are an attempt to develop alternative narratives that move beyond traditional representations. The vibrant colors and lively brushwork create an atmosphere of joy. Peploe focuses our attention on the flowers, arranged in a way that feels both casual and deliberate. His intention was to capture an image reflecting a personal, emotional experience.