The Rising Moon, or An English Pastoral
1857
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1857
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Rising Moon, or An English Pastoral is a 1857 ink by Samuel Palmer, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white scene shows a quiet countryside at dusk. A herd of sheep grazes in the foreground, clustered near a fence. In the distance, a lone figure stands on a hill, holding something long—maybe a staff or tool. Trees and a church steeple dot the background, with a bright moon rising over the horizon. The artist used fine lines to show light and shadow, making the scene feel peaceful yet detailed. The sheep and the person’s posture suggest a simple rural life. Next, check out how this was made using etching.
