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The Morning of Life

Print
1860 - 1861 (etched), 1871 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Palmer (artist)
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 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Etching print on paper
Printing Ink
Paper
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 (proof) by Samuel Palmer. Etching started 1860-61, printed 1871.
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
Production typeProof
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'S. Palmer' (Signed)
  • 'Samuel Palmer' (Signed in margin)
  • 'Coll. F. Goulding. Imp. Trial proof to test colour of Ink, 1871. To Miss C. M. Pott, Jan. 1, 1902.' (Annotated in pencil)
  • 'yrs truly S. Palmer' (With attached autograph)
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.

Attribution note: Trial proof
Subjects depicted
Pastoral
Shepherds
Sheep
Woodland
Rivers
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.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1919, London: Printed Under the Authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1921
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.1941-1919

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O827178/the-morning-of-life-print-palmer/
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