Study for Mercury c. 1893

Editor: This is "Study for Mercury," created around 1893 by Elihu Vedder. It looks like a preliminary drawing using pencil and colored pencil, maybe for a larger mural? I’m struck by how dynamic the figure feels despite being a relatively simple sketch. What jumps out at you? Curator: The energy is infectious, isn't it? Vedder was diving deep into Symbolism then, aiming for emotional and spiritual resonance beyond mere representation. Notice how Mercury isn't just standing; he's captured mid-flight, his caduceus practically buzzing with energy, ready to go on a magical adventure. Vedder probably felt this project deeply; do you sense he may have imagined being that messenger god, flitting between realms of thought and existence? Editor: That’s a beautiful thought. The Symbolists were all about those hidden meanings, right? I hadn't considered the flight as a metaphor itself. So, it’s not just about Mercury being a messenger. Curator: Precisely! Think about what Mercury, as a figure, *means*—swiftness, communication, transition. Vedder is less illustrating a myth and more embodying the very idea of transformation and delivery. Perhaps it felt incredibly empowering at a personal level. Editor: The placement in a lunette shape too—it feels heavenly, like something glimpsed above. Curator: Indeed! These cropped forms themselves imply grand narrative beyond that is merely glimpsed, something sublime or heavenly. Also it would be interesting to delve into possible classical and Pre-Raphaelite inspirations, as those blend in that period in peculiar and evocative ways... Editor: I'll have to look into that, thanks. Now I see so much more than just a sketch; it feels alive. Curator: Exactly. Vedder wanted us to *feel* Mercury, not just see him, as we ourselves attempt flight, of meaning and discovery. I know I certainly do!