Red and Pink Roses, Oranges and Fan 1924

Samuel Peploe likely made this painting of roses and oranges with oil on canvas, a very traditional fine art medium. What's particularly striking about Peploe's painting is his direct approach, without the usual obscuring techniques used to elevate painting. We see the thick application of paint, and the canvas texture underneath. The artist is engaging with the material directly. Even though it is a very domestic scene, the artist brings into the domestic sphere a direct engagement with the material qualities of paint. His painting style captures the essence of each object in the simplest way, reducing roses, oranges, and the patterned vase into pure forms of color and shape. It's this lack of fussiness that I find compelling. He's interested in the simple act of painting as a practice, rather than elevating his subject matter. Looking closely, it's clear that Peploe's process and choice of materials are critical to understanding the spirit of the work, rather than the symbolism of the flowers.