Harvesting

Artist Samuel Palmer (Newington, England, 1805 - 1881)

Date1863

Mediumwatercolour on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsSight Size: Height: 19 cm, Width: 42 cm
Frame: Height: 48.3 cm, Width: 70.3 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1949 with income from the Webster Bequest.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 07

Object numberABDAG002408

Keywords

About MeSamuel Palmer's work belongs to the Romantic tradition in which painters used pure landscape to convey religious feeling. In 1826 Palmer moved to Shoreham, in Kent and there he was inspired to paint a series of pastoral idylls; harvesters and shepherds occupying fertile landscapes.

This scene does not represent a particular location or ruin. The setting sun illuminates the ruined Gothic abbey and is framed by the tracery of the rose window, thus this light becomes divine. It was Palmer's belief that God was manifest in everything, and although this is not a religious subject as such, the painting is religious in intention.

More About Me

Collections Wall

A beautiful sunset marks the end of a long day during harvesttime. Even the cows look tired and ready for bed!

Exhibitions

Gallery 07 - Exploring Art