Artwork
The Sleeping Shepherd
The Sleeping Shepherd 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
The Sleeping Shepherd is an etching on chine collé created by Samuel Palmer in 1857. It is a print that showcases Palmer's skill as a landscape painter and printmaker.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene pastoral scene: a shepherd sleeps under two trees, while a lone figure walks a dog in the distance and a village sits on a hill. The scene conveys a sense of quiet and contemplation, reflecting Palmer's interest in the natural world and its poetic qualities.
Technique & Style
The image was created using the etching technique, where lines are scratched into a metal plate to produce the desired design. The resulting print features rough, textured lines in a predominantly black, white, and gray palette, characteristic of Palmer's delicate linework on chine collé.
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…
