Saturnalia, the ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, begins today.Elihu Vedder illustrated the book Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, which included this depiction of the Throne of Saturn.
Where Saturn Sat
Saturnalia, the ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, begins today.Elihu Vedder illustrated the book Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, which included this depiction of the Throne of Saturn.
Vedder's Rubáiyát set the standard for the artist-designed book in America and England. From the moment of its publication, the book achieved unparalleled success. The first edition appeared in Boston on 8 November 1884; six days later, it was sold out. Critics rushed to acclaim it as a masterwork of American art, and Vedder (1826–1923) as the master American artist.
View more of Vedder's artwork in an online exhibit of Vedder's Drawings for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.
Pictured: Elihu Vedder, 1836 USA–1923 Italy, The Throne of Saturn, illustration for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, 1883–84, chalk, pencil, ink and watercolor, 17 7/8 x 13 7/16 in., Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Museum purchase and gift from Elizabeth W. Henderson in memory of her husband Francis Tracy Henderson.