The Skylark

The Skylark 1850 by Samuel Palmer (1805-1881). Etching

In this 1857 impression of a state 7 of 8 etching the composition shows dawn approaching; the solitary figure of a man accompanied by his dog pauses at a wooden gate by a thatched cottage to listen to a skylark sing as it soars above a cornfield.

The composition combines landscapes in Italy, Wales and Devon and was possibly inspired by lines from Milton’s poem L’Allegro written in 1645: To hear the Lark begin his flight, And singing startle the dull night, From his watch-tower in the skies, Till the dappled dawn doth rise… This is Palmer’s second etching of only thirteen made during this lifetime. 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.