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The Morning of Life

Print
1860-1861 (etched), 1872 (published)
Artist/Maker
Palmer, Samuel (artist)
Palmer, Samuel (etcher)
Place of origin
England (etched)

Etching of a woodland scene in a Classical idiom: sunlight shines through the trees, illuminating two boys gathering fallen apples on a river-bank. In the shadows, sturdy shepherds wash sheep in the river, and a ram is being dragged towards the river by two cherubic boys.

Object details

Category
Prints
Object type
Print
TitleThe Morning of Life
Materials and techniques
Etching print
Printing Ink
Etching
Brief description
'The Morning of Life'. Woodland scene in a Classical idiom, featuring two boys gathering fallen apples on a river-bank. Etching print by Samuel Palmer. Etching started 1860-61.
Physical description
Etching of a woodland scene in a Classical idiom: sunlight shines through the trees, illuminating two boys gathering fallen apples on a river-bank. In the shadows, sturdy shepherds wash sheep in the river, and a ram is being dragged towards the river by two cherubic boys.
Dimensions
  • Plate impression (approx) height: 14.5cm
  • Plate impression (approx) width: 21cm
Object history
The final state of the plate was published in Etchings for the Art Union of London by the Etching Club, 1872, plate 13. There were several titles given to this plate at various stages: 'Hercules and Cacus', 'Sheep-washing' and 'A Leafy Dell'.
Plate destroyed.
Production
Etching started 1860-61.
Subjects depicted
Pastoral
Shepherds
Sheep
Woodland
River
Boys
Trees
Apples
Ram
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Catalogue of an Exhibition of Drawings, Etchings & Woodcuts by Samuel Palmer and other Disciples of William Blake October 20 - December 31, 1926. London : Published under the authority of the Board of Education, 1926. Publication No. 178 E.I.D.
  • Catalogue of an Exhibition of Drawings, Etchings & Woodcuts by Samuel Palmer and other Disciples of William Blake October 20 - December 31, 1926. London : Published under the authority of the Board of Education, 1926. Publication No. 178 E.I.D. pp.80-82.
  • Taken from Departmental Circulation Register 1962
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
CIRC.438-1962

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1105798/the-morning-of-life-print-palmer-samuel/
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