Who painted Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars"?

Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars" was painted by Elihu Vedder in 1886.

Where can I see Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars"?

Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars" is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars"?

Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars" is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars"

Elihu Vedder , 1886

Study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars" is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1886, this preparatory drawing by American symbolist Elihu Vedder combines charcoal, graphite and white chalk on a sheet of wove paper.

Created circa 1886, this preparatory drawing by American symbolist Elihu Vedder combines charcoal, graphite and white chalk on a sheet of wove paper. The work consists of four small studies of hands grasping a thin strand, rendered in a loose, gestural manner. The monochrome palette and warm tone of the paper emphasize tonal variation rather than color, indicating its function as a compositional sketch for a larger composition.

Subject & Meaning

The sketches focus on the act of hands holding a filament, a visual metaphor for the mythic Fates who spin, measure, and cut the thread of human destiny. By isolating the hands in motion, Vedder explores the tactile aspect of fate‑weaving, preparing a symbolic narrative that would later be expanded into a more elaborate scene of the three goddesses gathering the stars.

Technique & Style

Vedder employs a combination of charcoal for strong outlines, graphite for subtle shading, and white chalk to lift highlights and soften transitions. The marks are quick and expressive, with scumbled areas where chalk creates a gentle, blended surface. This mixed‑media approach allows the artist to model volume and gesture while maintaining the spontaneity essential to a study.

History & Provenance

The drawing originates from Vedder’s New York studio during a period when he was producing illustrations for Edward FitzGerald’s *Rubaiyat* and exploring allegorical subjects. It bears a handwritten note at its base identifying it as a study for "The Fates Gathering in the Stars," linking it to an unfinished or lost larger work. The piece entered a private collection in the early 20th century before being acquired by a museum in the 1970s.

Context

In the 1880s Vedder was part of the American Symbolist movement, which favored mythic and poetic themes over realism. His interest in classical mythology and the occult informed the choice of the Fates as subject. The drawing reflects contemporary academic training in drawing the human hand, a skill considered essential for narrative composition.