Ceres 1925

Samuel Peploe’s Ceres, is awash with colour and light, with rapid brushstrokes that capture the fleeting moments of a summer's day. I love how Peploe seems to be wrestling with the paint, pushing it around, trying to get it to do what he wants, to follow his intuition, his feelings. Look at how the paint has been layered on, particularly in the foreground—thick daubs of green, white and pink create a dense, almost sculptural surface. I can almost feel the bristles of his brush digging into the canvas. Those quick strokes create a sense of movement, as if the buildings and trees are swaying gently in the breeze. It reminds me a bit of Cezanne, how he used colour to build form and create depth. But Peploe brings his own distinct voice to the conversation, one that’s filled with warmth, joy, and a deep appreciation for the simple beauty of the Scottish landscape. It’s a generous painting, one that invites you to linger, to look closely, and to discover something new each time.