Still Life 1906

Samuel Peploe’s painting, Still Life, is made with oil on canvas, a traditional combination. But his approach? Anything but. The paint is laid on with a thick impasto, each dab a physical record of the artist’s gesture. Look closely, and you’ll see how the materiality of the paint dominates. It’s not just about representing a vase of flowers and a plate of fruit; it’s about the very stuff of painting. Peploe was part of the Scottish Colourists, a group who embraced the vibrant palettes of French Post-Impressionism. But he also had a particularly Scottish sensibility, rooted in close observation and a deep understanding of his materials. The visible brushwork, the tactile quality of the paint, all speak to a hands-on engagement with the craft of painting. This approach challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. Peploe elevates the act of painting itself, reminding us that the most profound art often comes from a deep appreciation for the materials and processes at hand.