Modern Tombs, Aswan, Egypt c. 1890

Elihu Vedder’s painting, Modern Tombs, Aswan, Egypt, was made with oil on canvas, traditional fine art materials to capture an ancient landscape. The painting appears to be primarily of earthen tones that imitate the subject matter in the work: the desert. Vedder’s skill as a painter is evident in the way that he built up the forms of the tombs and natural rock formations with layers of brushstrokes. The forms are rough and crumbling, with textures that imply the effects of time and erosion. The scene conveys a sense of isolation, a vision of labor in the building of the tombs, and the inevitable decay of even the most enduring structures. Vedder was most likely drawn to the stark contrast between human effort and the forces of nature. The artist highlights the cultural and historical weight of the site. The painting suggests a cycle of creation and decay, a timeless narrative told through the manipulation of humble materials. Understanding the painting means looking at it in its materiality, and its ability to represent both human work, and the landscape itself.