Who painted The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey?

The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey was painted by Elihu Vedder in 1867.

Where can I see The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey?

The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey?

The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey is associated with Realism.

Artwork

The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey

Elihu Vedder , 1867

The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey is an oil painting by the Realist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Elihu Vedder, an American painter and illustrator, completed *The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey* in 1867. This oil painting, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, presents a narrative scene featuring a donkey and several human figures. The work reflects Vedder's engagement with storytelling through visual art, a characteristic evident throughout his career.

Subject & Meaning

The narrative, often interpreted as a cautionary tale against attempting to satisfy all critics, is conveyed through this specific moment in the story.

The painting depicts a scene from the classic fable of the miller, his son, and their donkey. Set within a courtyard, a donkey occupies the central space, bearing one man on its back while another walks alongside. Surrounding figures observe the trio, dressed in period attire. The narrative, often interpreted as a cautionary tale against attempting to satisfy all critics, is conveyed through this specific moment in the story.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, *The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey* aligns with the realism movement prevalent during its creation. Vedder employs a subdued color palette, dominated by browns and tans, which contributes to the painting's historical atmosphere. This choice of medium and color helps to ground the allegorical subject matter in a tangible, believable setting, characteristic of the realist approach.

Context

Elihu Vedder, a New York City-born artist, was recognized for his diverse talents as a painter, illustrator, and poet. While *The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey* showcases his painting skill, Vedder gained significant renown for his extensive series of fifty-five illustrations for Edward FitzGerald’s translation of *The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam*. This body of work solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in American Symbolism.