(Illustration for Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám) Theology

Copied Elihu Vedder, (Illustration for Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám) Theology, 1883-1884, chalk, pencil and ink on paper, sheet: 17 1213 12 in. (44.534.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase and gift from Elizabeth W. Henderson in memory of her husband Francis Tracy Henderson, 1978.108.15
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
(Illustration for Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám) Theology
Artist
Date
1883-1884
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 17 1213 12 in. (44.534.2 cm)
Markings
lower left in chalk: V. center left in pencil: 25/Alike for those who for To-day prepare/And those after some Tomorrow stare,/A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries,/"Fools your Reward is neither here nor There."/Way, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd/Of the Two Worlds so learnedly are thrust/Like foolish Prohets forth, their Words to Scorn/Are scatter'd, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust./ Myself when young did eagerly frequent,/Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument/About and it and about: but evermore/Came out by the same door wherein I went./With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,/And with my own hand wrought to make it grow,/And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd-/"I came like Water and like Wind I go."
Credit Line
Museum purchase and gift from Elizabeth W. Henderson in memory of her husband Francis Tracy Henderson
Mediums Description
chalk, pencil and ink on paper
Classifications
Keywords
  • Still life
  • Figure — fragment — skull
  • Allegory — life
  • Allegory — quality — vanity
  • Literature — Khayyam, Omar — Rubaiyat
  • Object — written matter — book
Object Number
1978.108.15