Samuel Palmer (b.1805)

"The Homeward Star" Eclogue 1 original etching

1883

Medium: original etching. This impression on Alton Mill laid paper was printed in 1883 for "An English Version of the Eclogues of Virgil" and published in London by Seeley and Compan...

Medium: heliogravure (after the drawing). This impression on Alton Mill laid paper was printed in 1883 for "An English Version of the Eclogues of Virgil" and published in London by S...

Pen and ink on paper, inscribed 'Redhill' and dated 'June 24th 1872' lower left Image size: 4 x 8 inches (10 x 20 cm) Mounted and Framed Provenance Given to Ernest Pearce by Carlos Peacock, from the collection of Miss Louisa Twining (1820-1911), a pupil of Samuel Palmer. Carlos noted in his letter accompanying the work to Ernest Pearce that 'Going through my Palmer things for mounting the other day. I found this little sketch dating from the Redhill days. Thought you might like it by way of a Christmas gift'. Literature Carlos Peacock, Samuel Palmer , Shoreham and After, published by John Baker 1968, illustrated on page 67. This delicate pen and ink drawing depicts a view at Redhill, a town in the borough of Reigate within the county of Surrey, England. While Palmer's reputation rests mainly on his Shoreham work some of his later work, such as his sketches from Redhill, have recently received more appreciation. In 1872 Palmer was living in Redhill, at his last home, The Chantry at Cronks Hill. The Chantry is now Grade II listed due to the Palmer connection and Palmer Close, a cul-de-sac in Redhill (built in the 1960's), was also named in his honour. This work is an illustration of rural paradise, a vision of the natural world where there is a cosmic harmony between man and his environment. Indeed, Alfred Palmer, the artist's son, wrote 'Had the artist depended for his material solely on the fields, and woods, and hills around him, and had he used that material in a sordid way, he might have given us faithful representations of those he selected, but there would have been inevitable repetition, and he would never have shown us as he has undoubtedly done, the very spirit and quintessence of the loveliest and most poetic pastoral scenery - scenery which we may imagine as that of ancient England...

Le Repos Etching and Aquatint on vélin de Rive paper. Image Dim: cm 20 x 24, Sheet Dim: cm 29 x 44, Passepartout Dim: cm 34 x 49. Signed on plate “J. F. Millet” right-lower. Wonderful artwork by the French engraver Marcel Roux...