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 the British artist Samuel Palmer. The work presents a nocturnal countryside tableau rendered in monochrome, with a rising moon illuminating a tranquil rural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a flock of sheep gathered near a fence in the foreground, while a solitary figure stands on a distant hill, holding a long implement. Trees, a church spire and the luminous moon complete the landscape, evoking a quiet, idealized vision of pastoral life.
Technique & Style
Palmer employed the etching process, using fine incised lines to model light and shade across the scene. The delicate hatching conveys the soft glow of moonlight, while the crisp outlines define the figures and architectural elements, producing a detailed yet serene atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Palmer’s later period, after his earlier visionary works of the 1820s. It reflects his continued interest in rural subjects and the Romantic tradition of celebrating the English countryside. The etching was issued in the mid‑nineteenth century and has since circulated among collectors of British printmaking.
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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…
