'The Willow'. A willow tree growing out across a stream. Etching print by Samuel Palmer, England, 1850.

A willow tree (filling almost the entire composition) growing out over a stream, above wading cattle and a swan.

In the first state, there is a white streak across the sky, running from the edge of the plate to the tree, 2 mm. above the cumulus cloud on the left. This is filled up in the later state. In the later state also, there are a few more lines of shading in the upper part of the sky to the right.

A. H. Palmer explained that:
'It should be noted that the tree in this etching was practically copied from a careful water-colour study made from nature, and of a much larger size. Such a proceeding was very rare in any of Palmer's work. In this case, it may have been due, partly to a feeling of timidity in a new process, or, partly to a prudent wish not to endanger his election by anything too characteristic or ambitious.'
[Taken from: 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. p.56]

CIRC.84-1962