| Synopsis: |
* Samuel Palmer is one of the best known and lovedbut most widely misunderstood English Romantic artists. * Samuel Palmer & the Poetical Landscapepresents a new interpretation of Palmer as one of the most consistentlyinnovative landscape artists of the nineteenth century.* It includes focused discussion of works in theAshmolean Museum, which houses the greatest collection of Palmer's work in theworld. * This book includes previously unpublishedmaterial as well as interpretations of little-known works by Palmer in publicand private collections.Since his son's biography, published in 1892, Palmer hasbeen seen as the victim of Victorian materialism, a visionary who sacrificedhis talent to the naturalism popular with the middle classes. It is generallybelieved that Palmer's early work of the Shoreham Period was inspired by hislove of William Blake, and, after his marriage to John Linnell's eldestdaughter, his later watercolors and etchings more indebted to Linnell. However, Palmer himself would have argued that his wholecareer was devoted to an exploration of what Linnell called the 'poeticallandscape' to 'create spiritual perceptions'.Palmer was essentiallyself-taught, and experimented throughout his life with unconventionaltechniques in his determination to convey the 'infinity and endlesssuggestiveness' of nature. This book discusses Palmer's relations with the Old Mastershe admired, notably Claude Lorrain; his seniors, such as Blake and Turner; andhis contemporaries, first the 'Ancients', and later his fellow members of theWatercolour Society and the Etching Club. Through a close examination of the works byPalmer in the Ashmolean Museum and other collections, both public and private,and a fresh reading of his letters, many of them unpublished, Samuel Palmer& the Poetical Landscape offers a unique account of the artist's art andlife. |