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The Early Ploughman

Etching
ca.1861 - 1867 (etched), 1926(?) (printed)
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.

Object details

Categories
Prints
Printmaking Techniques
Object type
Etching
Titles
  • The Early Ploughman (assigned by artist)
  • The Morning Spread upon the Mountains (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Etching
Paper
Printing Ink
Etching (Printing Process)
Brief description
'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. Etching (final state) by Samuel Palmer, England, ca.1861-1867, printed 1926(?).
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
  • Plate impression (approx) height: 18cm
  • Plate impression (approx) width: 25cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'F.S. - M.H. - F.L.G.' (Signed in pencil.)
  • A small etched triangle in the lower margin on the left.
Credit line
Presented by A. H. Palmer, Esq.
Object history
This is one of 75 impressions, on specially chosen old paper, printed under the supervision of Sir Frank Short, R.A., P.R.E., R.I., Martin Hardie, R.I., R.E. and F. L. Griggs, A.R.A., R.E., before the cancelling of the plate. A small etched triangle has been added in the lower margin on the left, to identify the final printing, and each proof is signed in pencil: "F.S. - M.H. - F.L.G."
Plate destroyed.
Subjects depicted
Agriculture
Man
Oxen
Ploughing
Plough
Birds
Bridge
Trees
Pot
Rural Scenes
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 201
  • 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 Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1926, London: Board of Education, 1927.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.1461-1926

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O761816/the-early-ploughman-etching-palmer-samuel/
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