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

London, Fine Art Society, 1988;
London, Sotheby's, 29 August 1995, lot 995

The present picture was almost certainly painted in Paris, shortly after Peploe married his partner of fifteen years Margaret Mackay in 1910. Margaret was described as 'the charming lady who was to be his most understanding and sympathetic helpmate during an ideally happy domestic life.' (Stanley Cursiter, Peploe - An Intimate Memoir of an Artist and of his Work, 1947, p. 21). At this time Samuel and Margaret Peploe were living at 278 boulevard Raspail in Montparnasse and Margaret was pregnant with her son Willie. The colouring of the picture, particularly the use of greys and soft pinks, is reminiscent of the almost identically sized Luxembourg Gardens of c.1911 (Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery) and it is likely that this portrait was also painted in the same park. Peploe returned to Edinburgh in April 1911 to raise money, leaving Margaret and Willie in Paris and it is possible that he painted this portrait shortly before he left as a mark of affection for his wife, who he loved dearly.