Omar’s Horoscope 1883 - 1884

This is Elihu Vedder's "Omar's Horoscope," a work made with watercolor and graphite. Vedder uses the flat quality of these materials to emphasize the symbolic content of the work. Notice the swirling figures at the top, contrasting with the text block in the middle. Vedder surrounds this with a border of illustrative elements. The grapes and vines are recurring themes, alluding to the poem's references to wine and earthly pleasures. The poem is also an important material in this artwork. Vedder renders the stanzas from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam in a calligraphic style. The writing becomes a crafted element. This invites the viewer to consider the relationship between word and image. Each element is carefully constructed, and contributes to the overall meaning of the work. By attending to materials, making, and context, we understand the full meaning of an artwork, which challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.