Simon Palmer (1956-)

The argument over Bob Major
signed 'Simon Palmer' (lower right)
watercolour
29 x 32cm

South Yorkshire-born artist Simon Palmer is widely celebrated as one of England's leading contemporary landscape artists. His profound and abiding connection to rural England, particularly the Yorkshire Dales, forms the bedrock of his artistic inspiration and output.

Palmer synthesises meticulous attention to detail, vibrant colours, and oblique perspectives in his quintessentially English scenes—rolling hills, winding paths, stone walls, and quaint villages—that are at once eerily dreamlike and reassuringly familiar. His working practice reflects this blend, as he creates preparatory sketches en plein air before later translating them in watercolour through memory and feeling. Palmer captures not just the visual aspects of these landscapes but also the sensory experiences they evoke: the crackle of brittle leaves, the scent of fresh earth, and the interplay of light and shadow.

Following in the tradition of artists like John and Paul Nash, Eric Ravilious, and Graham Sutherland, Palmer's work is distinguished by his ability to convey the atmosphere and mood of a place. His landscapes are imbued with a sense of timelessness, inviting viewers to step into a world where the beauty of nature remains unspoiled. This capacity to create a strong sense of place has made his work particularly resonant with those who cherish the English countryside.