The Suicide 1883 - 1884

This drawing, likely made with charcoal or graphite, captures Elihu Vedder's symbolic exploration of mortality. Notice how Vedder builds up tonal gradations to describe both the figure of the deceased and the swirling forms surrounding him. The heavy lines and smudged textures of the medium give the image a somber and ethereal quality, well-suited to the subject matter. The work has a direct connection to the means of production: the artist's hand, applying pressure to create depth and shadow. This is a work of deep personal labor. The subject is both timeless and timely: then, as now, mental health struggles were often hidden in plain sight. Vedder's engagement with this theme, rendered through the skilled manipulation of humble materials, elevates the drawing beyond mere illustration into a powerful meditation on the human condition. It reminds us that art's value lies not only in its subject, but also in the labor and artistry that bring it to life.