Study for ‘The Eclipse of the Sun by the Moon’ 1892

Elihu Vedder's 1892 drawing *Study for ‘The Eclipse of the Sun by the Moon’* depicts a winged, draped figure reclining on a large book. The figure is positioned on the celestial bodies of the sun and moon, and with a stick in her hand, she seems to be pointing toward the open pages of the book. The study utilizes subtle shading and hatching, capturing the dramatic celestial event in an evocative and allegorical manner. This piece serves as a preparatory drawing for a larger-scale painting, revealing Vedder’s meticulous process and thoughtfulness in composition. The artwork alludes to the power of knowledge and its potential to illuminate the mysteries of the universe.