Samuel John Peploe, R.S.A. 1871-1935

After two years living and painting in Paris, Peploe returned to Edinburgh in 1912 where his work was not accepted at first. He was fortunate that the Stafford Gallery in St. James’ in London was prepared to hold an exhibition of Peploe’s drawings in June that year, of which the Sunday Times wrote; ‘The collection of Mr Peploe’s work now being shown… is sure to attract the attention of those who appreciate what is best in modern draughtsmanship… For Mr Peploe has something to tell us; he has a temperament which can only express itself in one way; and he sees the human form with clear eyes, noting the beauty that lurks in every corner of nature, and determined to set it down for us…Every one strikes one as having been done just because it happened in life under the artist’s observation. There is no deliberate posing of the model in evidence anywhere and the result is a record of indisputable facts.’ (Guy Peploe, S J Peploe 1871-1935, 2000, p. 49)