Study for "Astronomy" 1892

Elihu Vedder made this study for Astronomy using white chalk on paper. The figures rendered in chalk are studies of the nude form, a practice which stretches back centuries. What’s interesting is that the chalk, the paper, the very act of drawing, is all about economy. Vedder is getting the most he can from the least expenditure of means. He uses the chalk to pick out the highlights on the model's body, and the paper itself serves as the mid-tone. These studies were made in preparation for a mural, likely commissioned by a wealthy patron for a private residence or civic space. The labor of making this study may not be readily apparent, but it reflects the skill of the artist, honed through rigorous academic training. This reminds us that there is labor involved in making art, even if it's not always visible on the surface.