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Etching

1852 (etched), 1853 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Illustration from 'Songs of Shakespeare'. On same sheet as Circ.680-1912.
Tall portrait-format plate with a rectagular image at the top (Circ.680-1912) and an oval cartouche at the bottom (Circ.696-1912), both depicting cherubs gathering grapes in a forest and the upper image with a radiant silhouette of Bacchus. Title at the top of the sheet, six lines of Shakespeare’s song in the centre, and 'Samuel Palmer', in small capitals, under each subject.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Etching print
Brief description
'The Vine' (also known as 'Plumpy Bacchus'), one of two illustrations on one sheet, accompanying lyrics from Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra'. Etching by Samuel Palmer ca.1843. First published in 'Songs and Ballads of Shakespeare Illustrated by the Etching Club', England, 1853.
Physical description
Illustration from 'Songs of Shakespeare'. On same sheet as Circ.680-1912.
Tall portrait-format plate with a rectagular image at the top (Circ.680-1912) and an oval cartouche at the bottom (Circ.696-1912), both depicting cherubs gathering grapes in a forest and the upper image with a radiant silhouette of Bacchus. Title at the top of the sheet, six lines of Shakespeare’s song in the centre, and 'Samuel Palmer', in small capitals, under each subject.
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 37.2cm
  • Sheet width: 26.5 - 26.7cm
Measured by DH 24/01/2011
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'SAMUEL PALMER' (Central, beneath each subject.)
  • 'COME, THOU MONARCH OF THE VINE, / PLUMP BACCHUS, WITH PINK EYNE: / IN THY VATS OUR CARES BE DROWN'D; / WITH THY GRAPES OUR HAIRS BE CROWN'D; / CUP US, TILL THE WORLD GO ROUND; / CUP US, TILL THE WORLD GO ROUND!' (Lettered centre of sheet between the two illustrations.)
Object history
The lyrics printed are from the song in Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra' Act II, Scene 7.

Plate destroyed.
Production
First published in 'Songs and Ballads of Shakespeare Illustrated by the Etching Club', 1853.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceShakespeare, William. <u>Antony and Cleopatra</u>, Act II, Scene 7.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
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.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.686-1912

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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