1857
watercolor
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Sleeping Shepherd; Early Morning is a 1857 watercolor by Samuel Palmer, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
The painting depicts a serene scene of a shepherd sleeping in a field, surrounded by trees and a flock of sheep. The shepherd is dressed in a simple tunic and hat, and lies on his back with his arms crossed over his chest. The sheep are scattered around him, some grazing and others resting in the shade. In the background, a hill rises up, covered in greenery and dotted with trees. The sky above is a soft, hazy yellow, with a few birds flying overhead. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of peacefulness and tranquility. The use of watercolor and glazing techniques adds a sense of depth and luminosity to the painting, drawing the viewer's eye into the serene scene. For more on the artist's use of glazing, look up Palmer, Samuel.
Samuel Palmer Hon.RE (Hon. Fellow of the Society of Painter-Etchers) (27 January 1805 – 24 May 1881) was a British landscape painter, etcher and printmaker. He was also a prolific writer. Palmer was a key figure in…
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