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The Vine

Print
1852 (published), 1843 (etched)
Artist/Maker
Palmer, Samuel (etcher)
Place of origin
England (published)

Tall portrait-format plate with a rectagular image at the top and an oval cartouche at the bottom, 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
Prints
Illustration
Shakespeare
Object type
Print
Titles
  • The Vine (assigned by artist)
  • Plumpy Bacchus (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Etching print on India paper
Printing Ink
India Paper
Etching (Printing Process)
Brief description
'The Vine' (also known as 'Plumpy Bacchus'), two illustrations on one sheet, accompanying lyrics from Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra'. Etchings by Samuel Palmer ca.1843. Published in 'Songs and Ballads of Shakespeare Illustrated by the Etching Club', England, 1852.
Physical description
Tall portrait-format plate with a rectagular image at the top and an oval cartouche at the bottom, 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
  • Height: 30.2cm
  • Width: 21.6cm
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.
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.)
Credit line
Presented by Mrs J. Merrick Head
Object history
Published state.
Published in 'Songs and Ballads of Shakespeare Illustrated by the Etching Club', 1852.
The lyrics printed are from the song in Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra' Act II, Scene 7.

Plate destroyed.
Production
Published in 'Songs and Ballads of Shakespeare Illustrated by the Etching Club', 1852.
Subjects depicted
Cartouche
Cherubs
Grapes
Forest
Bacchus
Literary referenceShakespeare, William. <u>Antony and Cleopatra</u>, Act II, Scene 7.
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 179
  • 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.1888-1919

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O827226/the-vine-print-palmer-samuel/
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