Friday, June 27, 2014

Simeon Solomon, English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Night 1890


Simeon Solomon (1840-1905) was born into a prominent Jewish family in England. He was the 8th & last child born to merchant Michael (Meyer) Solomon & artist Catherine (Kate) Levy. Solomon was a younger brother to painters Abraham Solomon (1824–1862) & Rebecca Solomon (1832–1886). His first exhibition was at the Royal Academy in 1858, where he continued to exhibit until 1872. In addition to literary paintings favored by the Pre-Raphaelite school, Solomon's subjects often included scenes from the Hebrew Bible & genre paintings depicting Jewish life. In 1873 his career was cut short, when he was arrested in a public urinal in London & charged with attempting to commit sodomy & was fined. He was was arrested again in 1874 in Paris, after which he was sentenced to spend 3 months in prison. In 1884 he was admitted to the workhouse, where he continued to paint; however, his talent was blighted by alcoholism. Twenty years later in 1905, he died from complications of his alcoholism.


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Dawn


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Marguerite 1866


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Mother of Moses 1860


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Love Dreaming by the Sea 1871


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Beatrice


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Autumn


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Toilette of a Roman Lady 1869


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Priestess Offering Poppies


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Bacchus


Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Allegorical Self Portrait 1873Simeon Solomon (English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1840-1905) Self Portrait 1860