Willy Peploe 1930

Samuel Peploe captured this image of ‘Willy Peploe’ in paint, and you can see his marks really reveling in the process. There’s this joy in the act of painting. I think what makes this piece so interesting is its emphasis on surface and texture. The paint is laid on quite thickly in places, like the blues of the armchairs, but thinly elsewhere, allowing the material of the canvas to subtly show through, particularly in the treatment of the man’s skin. Look closely at the way Peploe defines the contours of the face with these bold, almost geometric strokes. It’s not about realism, it’s about creating a presence through the paint itself. It reminds me a little of Manet, an artist who was also more concerned with the act of painting than accurately portraying his subjects. Ultimately, this piece embraces ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations.