Pears and Bowl 

Samuel Peploe painted this still life of pears and a bowl, likely in the early 20th century, with oil on canvas. The immediate impression is one of domestic tranquility, achieved through a soft, muted palette and a composition that favors rounded forms. Peploe’s brushstrokes are visible and deliberate, building up texture and light. The forms of the fruit and the patterned bowl are simplified, almost abstracted. The use of visible brushstrokes and simplified forms points to an interest in how the materiality of paint itself can construct an image, rather than just represent it. This aligns Peploe with broader artistic concerns of the time, questioning traditional representation in favor of exploring the intrinsic qualities of the medium. Look at how the light catches the pears, creating subtle gradations of tone. This play of light and shadow not only defines the shapes of the objects, but also infuses the scene with a quiet vitality. The painting isn't just a record of objects; it’s an exploration of perception and the very act of seeing.