The Soul of the Cup 1883 - 1884

This lithograph, titled *The Soul of the Cup*, was made by the American artist Elihu Vedder. Though undated, it likely comes from Vedder’s illustrated version of Edward Khayyam’s *Rubaiyat*, published in 1884. In this image, Vedder wrestles with the intoxicating and destructive nature of earthly pleasures. The bearded figure at the bottom recalls images of Greek philosophers and biblical prophets. Above, a block of text offers verses on the revelatory power of the cup. The grapes and ornamented arch suggest the ancient roots of this theme in Greco-Roman culture. Vedder’s revival of these themes coincided with the establishment of university art history programs and the creation of museum collections in the United States, all intended to acquaint American audiences with Western cultural traditions. Historians consult letters, diaries, financial records, and other primary sources to better understand the social context of artworks and the cultural work they performed.