On the North Coast of Devon, Lundy Island in the Distance 1830 - 1840

Samuel Palmer captured the North Coast of Devon, with Lundy Island in the distance, in this watercolor. The landscape presents us with the Romantic motif of the sublime. Mountains, like those seen here, have long symbolized the bridge between the earthly and the divine. Think of Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, or Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. In Palmer’s time, mountains had become emblems of spiritual insight and the power of nature, embodying the sublime. In viewing this landscape, we feel a deep connection to nature. The yearning for the infinite reflects a shift toward personal, emotional, and spiritual experiences. This pursuit of the sublime became a way for individuals to grapple with the vastness and mystery of existence. This landscape, while peaceful, echoes the echoes of human striving, and our enduring quest to connect with something greater than ourselves.