The Suicide 1883 - 1884

Elihu Vedder's "The Suicide" (1883-1884) is a somber depiction of death. Rendered in charcoal, the artwork portrays a figure lying lifeless, surrounded by a shadowy, ethereal presence. The poem inscribed within the piece speaks to the soul's release from the "dust" of earthly existence, its journey to an unknown realm. Vedder's style, characterized by its stark contrasts and symbolic imagery, underscores the solemnity and mystery surrounding death. The work is a powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of human life.