Landscape at Cassis 1924

Samuel Peploe captured this vibrant landscape with oil on canvas. Note how the artist frames the scene with the embracing arms of the trees. The trees offer a protective shelter, a sacred grove, a symbol of nature's embrace. The symbolism echoes through art history, from classical Arcadia to Renaissance depictions of the Garden of Eden, places of refuge and contemplation. Consider the tree itself, a motif deeply rooted in the collective consciousness. It appears in the Tree of Life in ancient mythologies, connecting the earth to the heavens, a symbol of growth, wisdom, and interconnectedness. Observe how it is a motif used in gothic paintings to depict the crucifixion, showing the transformation of the cross into a sign of redemption and renewed life. The psychological weight of these symbols affects us still. Their recurrence suggests a deep-seated human desire for connection with nature. Peploe’s choice of such enduring motifs engages viewers on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of timelessness.