The Fable of the Miller, His Son and the Donkey No. 4
1860–61
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
3 5/16 x 5 7/8 in. (8.4 x 14.9 cm)
Classification
Drawing
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Gifts in memory of Stephen D. Rubin, 1992
Accession Number
1992.136.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
Elihu Vedder's *The Fable of the, His Son, and Donkey No. 4* (1860–61) a pivotal moment from Aesop's classic tale, where a miller and his son learn the folly of trying to please everyone leading their donkey to market. This graphite drawing on paper, measuring just 3 5/16 x 5 7/8 inches, is the fourth in a series of intimate studies, showcasing everyday figures—men, women, boys, and even infants—alongside the stubborn donkey. Vedder, an American artist trained in Paris and Italy, infused these works with a Pre-Raphaelite-inspired attention to detail and narrative clarity. Created amid the ten...
About the Artist
Elihu Vedder · 1836–1923
Elihu Vedder was born on February 26, 1836, in New York City to Dr. Elihu Vedder Sr., a dentist, and his cousin Elizabeth Vedder. As a young boy, his family relocated to Cuba for his father's ventures, an experience that sparked his artistic aspirations amid the Caribbean landscapes. He later divided his time between a boarding school and his maternal grandfather Alexander Vedder's home in Schenec...