Still Life 1907

Curator: Samuel Peploe's "Still Life," painted in 1907, presents us with a simple yet captivating arrangement rendered in oil. Editor: The immediate impression is one of muted abundance. The tones are rich and earthy, and there’s a generosity in the composition with the open melon taking centre stage. Curator: Absolutely. And note how even the mundane fruits—pears, plums, a melon—become symbols. In still life tradition, each object is imbued with cultural weight and refers to time, abundance and mortality. Peploe creates a visual memory linking our experiences to symbolic traditions. Editor: The deliberate presentation certainly prompts reflection, yet there is more to explore. The table cloth on which everything is laid looks deliberately ruffled. Considering Peploe was working in the early 20th century, during major shifts in gender roles and social hierarchies, I wonder if he considered ideas about the traditional domestic roles here. Curator: Interesting point. And a contrasting one to what seems obvious about traditional depictions. Looking deeper at the use of objects can unearth surprising gender politics at work! The positioning and arrangement of those plums; how they’re nestled between the melon and pears – you see fertility, plenty. And those domestic utensils seem to suggest the quiet industry associated with feminine labor and production. Editor: It speaks to an awareness, at least subconsciously, of the performative aspects of domestic life, where displays of wealth and plenty were inextricably linked to societal expectations and the maintenance of gendered roles. I am also really drawn to his use of photographic processes, particularly with the dramatic contrast, and it does so much in terms of creating a distinct feeling and point of view. Curator: I hadn’t considered that. He elevates common, unremarkable elements with this interesting tension, revealing how even ordinary items can be coded with culturally understood meanings and evoke powerful emotions that linger with us through shared symbolic association. Editor: Agreed. Peploe uses a fairly standard setup to unpack ideas around the social fabric during a key historical juncture. A beautiful painting indeed. Curator: Yes, by reflecting upon those historical relationships, it allows one to discover deeper meanings in a work that, on first appearance, seems innocuous and plain.