In Memoriam 1883 - 1884

Elihu Vedder made this drawing, In Memoriam, using graphite and ink on paper. It reflects a common theme of late 19th-century art, the aestheticization of sorrow. The kneeling figure of a woman is an allegorical representation of mourning; she is shown pouring from a pitcher onto an empty plate. This image is paired with verses referencing a “Garden,” a “rising Moon,” and a “spot where I made One—Turn down an empty Glass!”. These lines are taken from the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, a medieval Persian poem that gained immense popularity in the West following Edward FitzGerald's 1859 translation. Vedder was one of many artists who created illustrations for lavish editions of the Rubáiyát, capitalizing on its themes of earthly pleasure and melancholy contemplation. The poem's imagery and fatalistic tone resonated deeply with a Victorian culture grappling with rapid social change. The social role of such artworks lies in how they help us understand period attitudes toward loss, cultural exchange, and the market for luxury goods. Art historians rely on sources like periodicals and exhibition reviews to more fully understand their context.