Solomon Joseph Solomon, RA, (September 16, 1860, London - July 27, 1927,
Birchington) was a British Pre-Raphaelite painter, of no relation to
Simeon Solomon or his siblings Abraham and Rebecca. Solomon's family was
Jewish, and his sister, Lily Delissa Joseph (nee Solomon), was also a
painter.
Solomon studied at various art schools, sequentially, Heatherley's Art
School, the Royal Academy Schools, the Munich Academy, and Ecole des
Beaux-Arts (under Alexandre Cabanel). Solomon also studied separately
under Rev. S. Singer. He exhibited his first works as early as 1881 at
the Royal Academy, the New Gallery, and the Society of British Artists.
In 1886, he became one of the founding members of the New English Art
Club. In 1896, he became an associate of the Royal Academy, with full
membership following in 1906, one of the few Jewish painters to do so.
He joined, and became president of, the Royal Society of British Artists
in 1919.
Solomon\'s painting was grounded in his influence from his teacher
Alexandre Cabanel, but was also influenced by Frederic Leighton and
Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Solomon painted mainly portraits to earn a living,
but also painted dramatic, theatrical scenes from mythology and the
bible on large canvasses. These scenes include some of his more popular
paintings. One of Solomon\'s most popular works was Samson (1887),
depicting a scene from the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. This
painting was praised for its use of multiple male nudes in active poses.
Samson is one of few Solomon paintings on regular display, at the
Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Some other Solomon paintings that have
received significant attention include Ajax and Cassandra and The Birth
of Love (1896).
Solomon became well-known as an innovative portrait artist by the time
he painted Mrs. Patrick Campbell as \'Paula tanqueray\' (1894) and went
on to paint a number of portraits of well-known people, including Sir
Aston Webb, and later in life, the royals King George V, Queen Mary, and
Prince Edward (later King Edward VIII).
Solomon was also in demand as an illustrator for books, particularly
adventure books. In 1914, Solomon authored a book, \"The Practice of Oil
Painting and Drawing\". During World War I, Solomon was a pioneer of
camouflage techniques and painted camouflage on tanks and observation
posts. He published a treatise on the subject in 1920. |
