Ile de Bréhat 1911

Samuel Peploe likely made this painting en plein air on the island of Bréhat using oil paints on canvas. The thick application of paint, or impasto, gives the scene a vibrant texture, with each stroke visible and distinct. Look closely and you’ll see how Peploe used short, deliberate brushstrokes to build up the forms of the buildings and landscape. The texture is thick and creamy, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The canvas support also plays a role, its weave slightly visible beneath the layers of paint, adding to the tactile quality of the work. Peploe was part of the Scottish Colourists, and the techniques he uses here belong to broader histories of creative practices of the early 20th Century, moving away from traditional academic painting toward more experimental and expressive modes. The physicality of the paint becomes as important as the subject it represents, blurring the lines between representation and abstraction. Appreciating the materiality and the making of art is just as important as the subject matter.