The Old Man and the Ass, Illustration for Aesop's Fables
ca. 1916
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1918-44-8
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**The Old Man and the Ass an evocative drawing by Victor Wilbour from around 1916, captures a timeless scene from Aesop's F. This classic tale follows an old man and his son as they transport their donkey to market, only to lose it after futilely trying to appease every passerby's advice—a moral lesson on the folly of seeking universal approval. Wilbour's illustration, housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, reflects the early 20th-century fascination with moral storytelling through visual art, bridging ancient wisdom with modern audiences. Created as a drawing—a medium prized for its ...