Samuel John Peploe

Samuel John Peploe

Scotland 1871-1935

Samuel John Peploe , was a Scottish Post-Impressionist painter, noted for his still life's and for being the leader of a group of four painters that became known as the Scottish Colorists. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy from 1893 to 1894, and then at the Académie Julian and Académie Colarossi in Paris.

As a young artist, Peploe traveled to northern France with, J. D. Fergusson, another fellow Scottish Colorist. Inspired by the bright sunlight, he experimented with the bold use of color and was strongly influenced by French painters. It was a huge departure from the muted and somber landscapes that historically dominated Scottish Art. 

In 1910 he moved to Paris, which was the artistic epicenter at that time.

This proved to be a life altering experience, leading to a period of intense experimentation that would transform his painterly style and shape him as an artist for the rest of his life. He immersed himself in some of the most cutting-edge movements of the French avant-garde in the early twentieth century, from the color theories of the Fauves and the works of Manet, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. He made several trips to the South of France and was further influenced by other artists with bold palettes who lived and worked along Mediterranean: Matisse, Derain and the Fauve artists.

His works can be seen in the National Galleries of Scotland and in many international collections. In recent years there has been a renewed interest and appreciation for his work and contributions. He was honored with major retrospectives in 1985 and 2012. He played a key role in the development of Scottish art history and the birth of Modern Art in Paris in the early part of the 20th century.

The class did amazing mixed media paintings inspired by Peploe.