Artwork

Detail of the Marriage of the Daughter of the Vine

Detail of the Marriage of the Daughter of the Vine, by Elihu Vedder, graphite, 1890
Detail of the Marriage of the Daughter of the Vine, by Elihu Vedder, graphite, 1890

Detail of the Marriage of the Daughter of the Vine is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Detail of the Marriage of the Daughter of the Vine is a drawing created by Elihu Vedder around 1890. It is executed in colored pencil on wove paper and is part of a larger composition.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a hand grasping a tall, narrow vase, with another hand holding a cloth draped over it, on which a hat is placed. The scene is likely part of a fantastical or mythological narrative, characteristic of Vedder's allegorical themes.

Technique & Style

The sketch is rendered in a loose, expressive style with soft shading used to convey the folds of the cloth and the shape of the hand. The artist's use of light pencil strokes creates a sense of spontaneity.

Context

Vedder was known for his work as a book illustrator, notably for Edward FitzGerald's The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and often explored symbolic themes in his art.

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.