S.J. Peploe Exhibitions and Book Announcement

Colour : The Palette of S.J. Peploe
Kirkcudbright Art Gallery | 6 June – 4 October 2026

This summer, Kirkcudbright Galleries presents a major exhibition celebrating one of Scotland’s most important and best-loved artists, Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935). Colour : The Palette of S.J. Peploe brings together an exceptional collection of paintings and works on paper, alongside rare material from the artist’s family archive.

Curated by Amanda Herries, the exhibition will explore Peploe’s portraits, still life and landscapes, featuring paintings and works on paper from both public and private collections, some of which have not been seen since the artist’s memorial exhibition in 1936. Free admission. Opens 6 June and runs until 4 October. Plan your visit today.

Opening Lecture | Guy Peploe: My Grandfather, Scotland’s First Modernist
Saturday 6 June | 11.30am-12.30pm

To mark the opening day of the exhibition Colour – The Palette of S.J. Peploe (6 June to 4 October 2026), Kirkcudbright Galleries is delighted to welcome Guy Peploe for a special opening lecture.

Offering a rare and personal perspective, Guy Peploe will reflect on the life and work of his grandfather, S.J. Peploe (1871 to 1935), one of Scotland’s most distinguished artists and a pioneer of modern painting.

Guy Peploe is a Scottish art historian, curator, and former Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh. He is widely recognised as a leading authority on the Scottish Colourists and has curated numerous exhibitions of S.J. Peploe’s work. His publications draw on privileged access to family archives and private collections, contributing significantly to the understanding of Peploe’s place within British and European modernism.

Tickets: £5 / £3 concession, available from Kirkcudbright Galleries.

Book your ticket here.

Guy Peploe: My Grandfather, Scotland’s First Modernist
Thursday 20 August | 2.30-3.30pm

Focusing on the exhibition’s central themes of The Models, Still Life and Landscape, the talk will explore the development of Peploe’s practice and his enduring legacy. Drawing on decades of scholarship and unique access to family archives, Guy Peploe brings exceptional insight to this major exhibition.

Tickets: £5 / £3 concession, available from Kirkcudbright Galleries.

Book your ticket here.

S.J. Peploe (1871-1935) | Scotland’s First Modernist

Commissioned by Kirkcudbright Galleries to accompany Colour: The Palette of S.J. Peploe, this new publication from The Scottish Gallery Press brings you closer than ever to one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists.

Featuring new writing by Guy Peploe, the leading authority on the artist, this book offers a rare, art history and personal insight into Peploe’s life, practice and enduring legacy. From the discipline of his still life to the brilliance of his colour, it reveals an artist of uncompromising vision whose work still feels strikingly modern.

Published by The Scottish Gallery Press, an independent publisher dedicated to bringing the lives of The Scottish Gallery’s artists vividly to life. Limited copies available.

Pre-order now for £14.95 + p&p. Dispatching June 2026.

To coincide with Colour: The Palette of S.J. Peploe at Kirkcudbright Galleries, we are currently working behind the scenes on The Scottish Colourists & Wider Circle which will be exhibited in The Gallery this July. Featuring works by the four Scottish Colourists, our exhibition will also include paintings and works on paper by artists from the wider circle associated with the group. Including new to the market paintings being released for the first time by the family. Dates for your diary | 2-25 July 2026

The firm of Aitken Dott & Son, later known as The Scottish Gallery, has played a pivotal role in the promotion and success of The Scottish Colourists during the early to mid-20th century. We are the only gallery still operating who represented all four artists during their lifetime and beyond. The Gallery helped shape Scotland’s artistic landscape, by providing a crucial exhibiting platform for the Colourists and embracing the artists’ bold, modern approach to painting.

In uncertain times, provenance, expertise and trust matter. The Scottish Gallery has been selling and promoting the work of the Scottish Colourists since 1903. Our historic labels of Aitken Dott & Son | The Scottish Gallery travel the globe and regularly appear on the secondary market as important markers of primary provenance. We may be small, but our history and reputation are formidable.

We have played a central role in shaping and sustaining the market for the Scottish Colourists, placing works thoughtfully with committed collectors through our exhibitions and Modern Masters programme. Our archive and depth of experience ensure every work is handled with context, care and authority, achieving consistently strong results.

Looking to sell?
We are always seeking consignments of works by the Scottish Colourists. Selling through The Scottish Gallery offers a discreet, informed and highly personal alternative to auction, particularly in volatile economic times.

Why sell with us?
Transparent pricing. Less commission, more discretion.

Our commission is 30% + VAT (plus Artist Resale Right of 4% where applicable), inclusive of all costs: photography, research, cataloguing, insurance, publication and marketing. A clear and competitive structure, without the layered fees often incurred at auction for both buyer and seller.

Auction houses may have expanded their reach, but The Scottish Gallery continues to offer a trusted, creative and effective route to market. For a confidential appraisal and expert advice, please contact The Gallery.

Christina Jansen, Managing Director