Artwork

Japanese Still Life

Japanese Still Life, by Elihu Vedder, unspecified, 1890
Japanese Still Life, by Elihu Vedder, unspecified, 1890

Japanese Still Life is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Japanese Still Life is a painting created by Elihu Vedder in 1890, blending Eastern and Western artistic influences within an American Impressionist framework.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a carefully arranged still life on a rug, featuring a black vase, patterned cloths, and a Japanese-designed screen with cranes and plants, evoking a Japanese-inspired ambiance.

Technique & Style

Vedder employed chiaroscuro to create depth, juxtaposing the foreground objects with the screen's backdrop, generating visual interest through layered spatial elements.

History & Provenance

Japanese Still Life is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Vedder's exploration of symbolism and cross-cultural aesthetics.

Context

This work exemplifies Vedder's broader practice of merging symbolic themes with diverse artistic traditions, characteristic of his contributions to American Symbolism and illustration.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Elihu Vedder

Artist

Elihu Vedder

Elihu Vedder (26 February 1836 – 29 January 1923) was an American symbolist painter, book illustrator and poet from New York City.