SAMUEL JOHN PEPLOE, R.S.A. | Trees, Antibes

James G. Speirs, Lenzie;
Alex. Reid & Lefevre, London, where purchased May 1937 by Major Ion R. Harrison and thence by descent

Glasgow, McLellan Galleries, Peploe Memorial Exhibition, 1937, no.45;
Glasgow, Palace of Arts, Empire Exhibition Scotland, Fine Arts Section, 1938, no.475;
Glasgow, McLellan Galleries, The Thistle Foundation, Pictures from a Private Collection, 1951, no.40;
Edinburgh, Arts Council - Scottish Committee Touring Exhibition, S.J. Peploe, 1871-1935, 1953, no.25;
Glasgow, Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Exhibition of Scottish Painting, 1961, no.156;
Edinburgh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, S J Peploe Commemorative Exhibition, 1985, no.106;
Edinburgh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, S.J. Peploe, 2012-2013

S. Cursiter, Peploe: An Intimate Memoir of an Artist and of His Work, Edinburgh, 1947, pl.41;
T.J. Honeyman, Three Scottish Colourists, Edinburgh, 1950, opposite p.64, pl.V;
R. Billcliffe, The Scottish Colourists, London, 1989, pl.132;
G. Peploe, S.J. Peploe, Surrey, 2012, p.157, pl.167;
A. Strang, E. Cumming and F. Fowle, S.J. Peploe, exh.cat, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 2012, pl.83

The canvas has not been lined and is slightly loose on its stretcher. There is a speck of paint loss in the centre right of the composition, another minor speck of paint loss in the upper centre of the composition and two further minor specks of paint loss in the upper right hand corner. There are a few artists pinholes and some rubbing and abrasion along the lower framing edge. Otherwise the work is in excellent original condition and clean and ready to hang. UV light inspection reveals no evidence of any retouching or restoration. Held in the original decorative gilt frame and under glass.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

  ‘Trees, Antibes depicts a file of huge trees, this time pines, seen as a diagonal receding into a headland, the sea perhaps just beyond. In the very simplicity of its conception, it is the antithesis of classical landscape: no repoussoir tree, middle ground or far distance. His impasto is again very full – the plastic equivalent of the monumentality of his subject… their trunks this time forming a Cézanneseque geometric pattern…’
 Guy Peploe, S.J. Peploe, Surrey, 2012, pp.157-8