Label Text: A young woman in vaguely historical Italian costume leans languidly against a well in an orange grove. Apparently, she has come to fill the impressive red-figure jug (resembling the traditional Greek oinochoe) but has become distracted, passing time with a pet turtle at her feet, which she holds with a slacked string. In Greek mythology, turtles are associated with the goddess Aphrodite, suggesting that the girl’s mind is occupied by thoughts of love.
Vedder painted Etruscan Girl in his adopted homeland, Italy, where he became involved with a circle of fellow American expatriates and an Italian, Nino Casta, who met regularly at the Café Greco in Rome. Drawing from eclectic artistic, historical, and literary sources, Vedder created images that defy easy categorization.
Written by Timothy Clark, Class of 2012 American Art Intern, Spring 2010
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