Inscribed: Rector, lower right, painted: "Roma Copyright 1899 by E. Vedder" On wood panel on back of painting is pasted a page from a catalog entry from W.H. Downes article that appeared in Atlantic Monthly: "The Vedder Exhibition" 3 The Eclipse of the Sun by the Moon 4 The Sould Between Doubt and Faith $1500 (price handwritten) An allegory of universal application, impregnated with that sad poetry which is the distinguishing mark of Vedder's temperament, is "The Sould between Doubt and Faith," something like a pictorial version of Tennyson's Two Voices - a picture of a divided will, of a mental struggle, of a human soul in anguish. A woman's face darkened by the shadow of a great sorrow, and piteously worn by a moral conflict, appears between two symbollic heads - the serene and radiant head of Faith on the one hand, surrounded by a golden nimbus, and on the other side the shrewd, wrinkled visage of gray-bearded Doubt, who seems to be as righteous as ever in spite of his great age. In either ear these opposing spirits pour their inconclusive arguments. The simplicity of this thought is perfect, and the delineation of a painful psychological mood is a triumph of expression. Into these haggard features Vedder has poured a world of mournful meaning which touches the heart, and moves it to pity for poor humanity thus typified. W.H. Downes in "Atlantic Monthly" June 1887 (date handwritten) Customs seal: Re?gana di Roma / March 30, 1899

Markings: Painted in border along lower edge of canvas (visible when frame removed) the words: "IL DUBBIO L'ANIMA LA FEDE"