Artwork
Young Marsyas (Marsyas Enchanting the Hares)
Young Marsyas (Marsyas Enchanting the Hares) is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
About this work
Overview
Young Marsyas (Marsyas Enchanting the Hares), painted in 1890 by Elihu Vedder, is an oil painting housed at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. While Vedder is often associated with Symbolism, this work is categorized under American Impressionism.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a youthful Marsyas, a figure from mythology, playing a double flute in a forest, entrancing surrounding hares. Marsyas is portrayed as a satyr, identifiable by his nakedness (save for a headband and waist cloth), hairy tail, and pointed ears, emphasizing his mythological, half-human nature.
Technique & Style
Vedder employs warm, serene colors to capture the peaceful atmosphere of the forest backdrop, contrasting with the detailed, expressive rendering of Marsyas and the hares. The style blends Impressionist sensibilities with symbolic depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1890, the painting is part of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's collection. Vedder, known for his illustrations in *The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam*, explores a different creative vein in this piece.
Context
Though Vedder was a New York City-based artist with a background in Symbolism and illustration, *Young Marsyas* reflects an American Impressionist approach, situating it within early 20th-century American artistic explorations.
Legacy
While *Young Marsyas* may not be Vedder's most renowned work (his illustrations being more celebrated), it showcases his versatility and contributes to the broader landscape of American Impressionist painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Elihu Vedder (26 February 1836 – 29 January 1923) was an American symbolist painter, book illustrator and poet from New York City.
Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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