figure study for a fountain design
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Accession Number
1955-38-48-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Elihu Vedder, prominent American artist (1836–1923), created this *Figure Study for a Fountain Design around 1890, a prolific phase of his career. Born in New York but largely based in Italy, Vedder was a key figure in the Aesthetic Movement and Symbolist circles, blending Pre-Raphaelite influences mystical, dreamlike imagery. His works often featured ethereal figures and intricate designs, reflecting the era's fascination with classical antiquity and decorative arts amid the Gilded Age. As a preparatory drawing—classified within the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—this piece exe...