Cartoon for Saturn 1893

Elihu Vedder made this cartoon for Saturn with graphite and tempera on paper in 1897. The drawing uses traditional art materials to depict a classical subject. Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and time, is seated on a wheel, holding wheat and fruit - imagery deeply connected to the rhythms of labor and the seasons. The muted tones and detailed shading create a sense of weight and depth. The smoothness of tempera allows for fine lines and subtle gradations, while the graphite adds texture and dimensionality. The wheel and the figure of Saturn are meticulously rendered, showing Vedder's skill in draftsmanship. Vedder was clearly inspired by Renaissance traditions of drawing. Yet the very act of creating a ‘cartoon’ points to the industrialization of art production, and the division of labor between design and execution. This is no mere sketch, it is a plan for future labor. By understanding the materials and processes, we can see this work not just as a classical reference, but also as a document of its time, straddling the line between traditional craft and modern production.