Artwork
The Rising Moon, or An English Pastoral
The Rising Moon, or An English Pastoral is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Samuel Palmer. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1857, *The Rising Moon, or An English Pastoral* is an etching by Samuel Palmer. The print captures a quiet countryside scene under a deep‑blue evening sky, where a rising moon illuminates a cluster of trees, low shrubs and distant structures. The composition balances dark, sharply defined foliage with a softer, atmospheric sky, conveying a sense of calm nightfall.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a rural landscape at the moment of moonrise, emphasizing the gentle transition from day to night. By placing modest dwellings and natural elements within a tranquil setting, Palmer suggests a harmonious relationship between humanity and the countryside, echoing Romantic ideas of nature as a source of spiritual solace.
Technique & Style
Palmer employed both etching and drypoint, allowing him to render bold linear outlines for the trees and buildings while achieving delicate tonal gradations in the sky. The combination of deep, crisp lines with subtle, feathered shading creates texture and depth, characteristic of his later work that moves toward a more atmospheric, lyrical approach.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during Palmer’s mature period, after his return to a more contemplative style following earlier, more visionary phases. It was issued in limited numbers in the late 1850s, circulating among collectors of British Romantic prints. Subsequent ownership records trace its presence in several European and American private collections before entering museum holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Palmer Hon.RE (Hon. Fellow of the Society of Painter-Etchers) (27 January 1805 – 24 May 1881) was a British landscape painter, etcher and printmaker. He was also a prolific writer. Palmer was a key figure in…
