Samuel John Peploe Samuel John Peploe, 1871 - 1935. Artist (Self-portrait) About 1911

Biography

Born 1871
Died 1935
Nationality Scottish
Birth place Edinburgh
Death place Edinburgh

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.

Glossary terms

Glossary terms

Still life

A painting, drawing or photograph depicting inanimate, everyday objects. Although the genre has been in existence since ancient times, it was popularised in Holland after the Renaissance in the sixteenth century and has continued to be explored in contemporary times.

Scottish Colourists

A group of Scottish painters comprising Samuel John Peploe, Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, George Leslie Hunter and John Duncan Fergusson, who were active in the early twentieth century. They all spent time in France and were influenced by French artists’ bold use of colour and free brushwork.