The Early Ploughman thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case EE, Shelf 11, Box A

The Early Ploughman

Print
ca.1861 - 1867 (etched)
Artist/Maker
Palmer, Samuel (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.

The plate has been re-worked, particularly in the sky and the foreground. A level horizontal cloud runs just below the summit of the distant hill across to the trees. The streak of light marked in one touched example of working proof 4, has been introduced under the central arch of the bridge.

Signed in pencil.


Object details

Categories
Prints
Printmaking Techniques
Object type
Print
Titles
  • The Early Ploughman (assigned by artist)
  • The Morning Spread upon the Mountains (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Etching print on paper
Paper
Printing Ink
Etching (Printing Process)
Brief description
Etching. Samuel Palmer. The Early Ploughman (also known as The Morning Spread upon the Mountains), ca. 1861-1867. 'Finished state'.
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.

The plate has been re-worked, particularly in the sky and the foreground. A level horizontal cloud runs just below the summit of the distant hill across to the trees. The streak of light marked in one touched example of working proof 4, has been introduced under the central arch of the bridge.

Signed in pencil.
Dimensions
  • Plate impression (approx) height: 18cm
  • Plate impression (approx) width: 25cm
Production typeProof
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Samuel Palmer' (Signed in pencil.)
  • 'Finished state' (Inscribed.)
Credit line
Presented by Mrs. J. Merrick Head.
Object history
This is a proof from re-bitten and re-worked plate.
Production
Attribution note: Proof from re-bitten and re-worked plate.
Subjects depicted
Agriculture
Rural Scenes
Oxen
Ploughing
Man
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. London, Pub. under the authority of the Board of Education, 1926 200
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.1892-1919

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O827222/the-early-ploughman-print-palmer-samuel/
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