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The Early Ploughman

Etching
c.1861 - 1867 (etched)
Artist/Maker
Samuel Palmer (etcher)
Place of origin
England (etched)

Rural scene showing a ploughman driving a pair of oxen, with plough, towards the left of the image. Birds are taking flight above a bridge to the left of the scene and a figure holding a pot on their head is standing by a line of trees to the right.


Object details

Categories
Prints
Landscapes
Object type
Etching
Titles
  • The Early Ploughman (assigned by artist)
  • The Morning Spread upon the Mountains (alternative title)
Materials and techniques
Etching print on paper
Printing Ink
Paper
Etching
Brief description
Samuel Palmer. 'The Early Ploughman' (also known as 'The Morning Spread upon the Mountains'). Rural scene showing a ploughman driving a pair of oxen as the sun rises behind the hillside. England, c.1861-1867.
Physical description
Rural scene showing a ploughman driving a pair of oxen, with plough, towards the left of the image. Birds are taking flight above a bridge to the left of the scene and a figure holding a pot on their head is standing by a line of trees to the right.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.1cm
  • Width: 25.1cm
Taken from the dimensions given in the Victoria and Albert Museum Catalogue of the Prints, Drawings, Paintings & Photographs Collections and converted from inches to centimetres.
Production typeProof
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Working proof. before addition of the dark tree on the right in published state. Martin Hardie has one earlier and one later working proof F. .S. Decr. 1912' (Inscribed in pencil by Sir Frank Short.)
  • (A further note is inscribed on the mount.)
Object history
This etching was formerly in the collection of Sir Frank Short, R.A., P.R.E., R.I.
Production
Begun before 1861.

Attribution note: Working proof
Subjects depicted
Agriculture
Ploughing
Ploughmen
Oxen
Rural Scenes
Landscape
Plough
Birds
Bridge
Trees
Pot
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.79-80.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings Accessions 1953 London: HMSO, 1963
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.456-1953

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O590966/the-early-ploughman-etching-samuel-palmer/
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