Sea Piece, Barra 

Samuel Peploe painted "Sea Piece, Barra" using oil paint on canvas, traditional fine art materials. Peploe’s technique involved applying thick layers of paint, creating texture and depth. The visible brushstrokes reveal the artist's hand, and the material properties of oil paint—its viscosity, opacity, and ability to blend—contribute to the overall appearance. Peploe's engagement with the landscape reflects the wider social context of the early 20th century, marked by increasing urbanization and industrialization, with artists often seeking solace and inspiration in nature. Painting outdoors and capturing a fleeting moment required specific tools and skills, from preparing the canvas to mixing colors, to the physical act of applying paint quickly and accurately. The choice of oil paint, a commercially available medium, also situates the work within a system of production and consumption. Ultimately, by emphasizing materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork, transcending traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.