A still life by Samuel Peploe, one of the Scottish Colourists, featuring red roses in a vase, painted with loose brushstrokes and a muted colour palette.

Samuel Peploe (1871-1935) was a Scottish artist, known for his still life paintings and his role as one of the Scottish Colourists. These artists, influenced by French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, sought to bring brighter, more expressive colour palettes to Scottish painting. Peploe's work often features simplified forms and a focus on the interplay of light and colour. He travelled to France frequently, absorbing the influences of artists like Matisse and Cézanne. His paintings are characterised by their bold brushwork and harmonious colour combinations. This still life presents a collection of objects arranged on a table. Red roses in a glass vase are the central element, their petals rendered with loose, expressive brushstrokes. A white tablecloth provides a backdrop, while a cup and saucer, a book, and a piece of fruit on a plate add to the composition. The colours are muted, with soft pinks, greens, and browns dominating the scene. The brushwork is visible, giving the painting a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The composition is balanced, with the objects arranged in a way that is both natural and aesthetically pleasing.