Encouraged by Cadell, Peploe first visited Iona in 1920 and he returned almost every summer thereafter. Peploe was particularly fond of the rocky northern end of the island and its views towards Mull. This is an early work, from about 1923. Although incomplete, the rocks in the foreground not yet painted, this was to become a typical composition of Peploe?s paintings of the Iona landscape. He abandoned the warm colours of his still lifes for a palette of cool greens and blues.
Samuel John Peploe (Scottish, 1871 - 1935)
Peploe is one of the group of four artists known as the 'Scottish Colourists.' Born in Edinburgh, he studied art in Paris and lived there from 1910 to 1912. It was through painting holidays in Northern France that he was introduced to the use of bold colour, inspired by the bright sunlight. He later experienced the same intensity of light while painting on the island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. French painting proved to be a powerful influence for Peploe throughout his life. Although his work never became abstract, it was characterised by tight composition, strong colour and assured handling.
