Boats at Royan 1910

Samuel Peploe painted this scene of Boats at Royan with oils, in a flurry of brushstrokes, probably en plein air. Peploe's colors feel joyful here—reds and oranges leap out from the canvas, contrasted by calming blues and greens. I can almost feel the Mediterranean sun on my face! The thick impasto of the paint creates a textured surface, alive with the energy of the moment. Just look at how each stroke seems to capture a fleeting impression, like a gust of wind or a splash of water. I can imagine Peploe, squinting in the bright light, trying to capture the essence of the harbor with quick, deliberate strokes. He's part of a conversation that includes painters like Matisse and Derain, all exploring how color and form can evoke feeling and atmosphere. For me, painting is about embracing the messy, the unresolved, the sheer physicality of the medium. This painting is a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things come from letting go and trusting your intuition.