Palmer, Samuel (1805 – 1881) – ‘The Sleeping Shepherd’ (L.6).

'The Sleeping Shepherd' (L.6). Etching. 1857. State IV of IV. Published in 'Etchings of the Art Union of London by the Etching Club', 1857, Pl.5. Palmer also made related paintings of this subject, the earliest dating to the 1830s. Although possibly inspired by some lines from Milton's 'L'Allegro' ... 'While the ploughman near at hand / Whistles o'er the furrow'd land, / And the milkmaid singeth blithe, / And the mower whets his scythe, / And every shepherd tells his tale / Under the hawthorn in the dale' ... the figure was loosely based on the 2nd century Roman sculpture of Endymion in the British Museum (1805,0703.23). Of the sculpture, Palmer wrote 'More than two thousand years ago the sculptor bade that marble live. It lived, but slept, and it is living still. Bend over it. Look at those delicate eyelids; that mouth a little open. He is dreaming. Dream on, marble shepherd; few will disturb your slumber'. 3.75x3 inches.