Iona 1933

Samuel Peploe painted 'Iona' using oil on canvas, capturing a scene from the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Peploe was one of the Scottish Colourists, a group of painters whose Post-Impressionist style set them apart. From the early 20th century, art institutions across Europe embraced modern art movements like Impressionism. The bright colors and loose brushwork in this painting reflect that broader shift away from academic styles. 'Iona' also reflects a growing interest in landscape as a source of national identity. For Scotland, this came with a unique set of questions, as artists sought to define Scottish identity within the larger British context. Historians can look at exhibition records, artist correspondence, and critical reviews to understand more about the cultural conversations surrounding paintings like this one. The meaning of art is always tied to these kinds of changing social and institutional contexts.