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The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey No. 4

Elihu Vedder American
ca. 1867–68
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
Vedder is best known for his visionary paintings that contain classical and allegorical allusions, which were precursors to the Symbolist movement in the United States. This series of paintings, however, has a literary theme based on a specific text—Aesop’s fable "The Miller, His Son, and the Donkey". Vedder used his beloved Italy as the setting of the classic fable, in which a hapless miller and his son attempt to appease passing critics, resulting in the death of their precious donkey.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Fable of the Miller, His Son, and the Donkey No. 4
  • Artist: Elihu Vedder (American, New York 1836–1923 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1867–68
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 10 3/4 in. (16.5 x 27.3 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of John V. and Enza Tomassi Kiskis, 1992
  • Object Number: 1992.205.4
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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