The Rising Moon

The Rising Moon 1855-57 by Samuel Palmer (1805-1881). Etching

This 1857 impression of a state 4 of 9 etching shows a pastoral scene where a little village nestles in a valley. A shepherd, with his belongings suspended in a bundle from a stick, pauses beside his flock, as the full moon illuminates the sky and roofs of the nearby village.

The valley is reminiscent of Shoreham in Kent, one of Palmer's most well-loved locations. The cypresses are similar to those Palmer sketched in Italy and the distant hills resemble the Devonshire tors. The etching uses exaggerated perspective, so that the sheep appear much bigger than the shepherd. This is Palmer’s seventh but first large etching. Palmer was a meticulous etcher. Working from paper studies he spent days perfecting his initial composition until it was faultless. He worked repeatedly on the same plate until he achieved his desired effect. Palmer arranged for a professional to print his plates and provided detailed notes on how he wished them to be printed.

Samuel Palmer is considered to be one of Britain’s most original artists, and a key figure in the Romantic movement.