figure study for a fountain design
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Accession Number
1955-38-50-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Elihu Vedder, a prominent American artist (1836–1923) known for his mystical and symbolic works influenced by Pre-Raphaelite and Aesthetic movements, created this *Figure Study for a Fountain Design around 1890. Vedder, who spent much of his career Italy absorbing Renaissance traditions, often blended classical motifs with imaginative, dreamlike figures. This drawing reflects his interest in decorative arts during the Gilded Age, a time when American artists like him contributed to grand public commissions, including fountains that symbolized harmony and nature. As a preparatory drawing, the ...