The Early Ploughman. The Morning Spread upon the Mountains. by Samuel Palmer, 1805-1881

Samuel Palmer, 1805-1881
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

The Early Ploughman. The Morning Spread upon the Mountains.

Original etching in black ink. 1861/76. From the first issued edition, printed from the plate as first completed by Palmer in 1861/62. Before the retouching by Palmer over the period 1870-79. This impression printed for Hamerton, for issue in the album: 'Etching and Etchers'.
Ref: Lister - Samuel Palmer's etchings no 9, state v of viii

Excellent strong impression. On pale cream laid Hollande paper with the Hallines watermark. Excellent condition. With thread to 1/8 inch margins at sides and bottom, trimmed just on the platemark at the head (the blank 3/4 to 1 inch inner margin complete). Sheet: 7 x 10 1/2ins (the
right margin with deckle as often). Plate: 7 x 9 7/8ins. (178x250mm).

This item is sold.
Click here to enquire about this item.

Palmer's interest in etching was spread over the years from 1850 to 1880. His first etchings were in the small format of Christmas, above. By the beginning of the 1860's he had turned to a landscape format, and to themes in which there is an even stronger Virgilian quality in the vision of the countryside and the pastoral life. The Early Ploughman is one of two compositions on the theme of 'The Life of the Ploughman' as an embodiment of the untouched rural existence. It is one of Palmer's great compositions in etching.

Also see the notes on Palmer in Christmas - Folding the Last Sheep.