Landscape with Haystacks 1911

Samuel Peploe painted this landscape with haystacks using oil on canvas. Peploe was a Scottish Colourist, a group of painters whose bold use of colour and expressive brushwork was in dialogue with contemporary French painting. Looking at this painting, you might consider the cultural exchanges that shaped Peploe’s artistic development. He travelled to France frequently and the influence of Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism is clear to see in his landscapes. These are less literal depictions and more visual experiences that capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. The art market and institutions played a crucial role in the rise of modern art. Dealers promoted and exhibited these new styles, while collectors and museums provided patronage and validation. The Scottish Colourists benefitted from this network, gaining recognition and sales both at home and abroad. To fully understand paintings like these, we need to look at exhibition histories, dealer records, and critical reviews. Only then can we understand how art reflects and shapes the society around it.