North Berwick 1903

Samuel Peploe made this painting of North Berwick in Scotland with oil paint on board; can't you just imagine the wind blowing as he was trying to capture this scene? I love how he uses these brushstrokes to create a scene of quiet contemplation, with those sheep scattered across the field like white punctuation marks. Look at that juicy green, swiped and dabbed on – he's really laying it on thick in places. I can see Peploe trying to catch the light, trying to evoke the mood of the place. The paint almost vibrates with energy. I can imagine him thinking about all the other painters who’ve tried to capture nature's beauty, like the Impressionists. I bet he felt part of that big, ongoing conversation. It’s like he’s saying, "I see you, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh! And now, here's my take on it." Painting is just one big conversation across time, with artists picking up where others left off and adding their own twist.