Cartoon for Luna 1893

Elihu Vedder's 1893 "Cartoon for Luna" is a black and white drawing on paper, depicting three figures against a dark background of a starry night sky. In the center stands a nude, female figure who appears to be rising up from the earth, her arms reaching upwards towards the crescent moon. Two figures, one with wings and one draped in cloth, seem to be observing this ascent. The figures are rendered with precise detail in a style influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, who sought to revive the art of the Italian Renaissance. Vedder was known for his mystical and symbolic artwork, often drawing inspiration from classical mythology. This "Cartoon for Luna" likely served as a preparatory sketch for a larger work.