Solomon Joseph Solomon

Solomon Joseph Solomon, RA, (September 16, 1860, London - July 27, 1927, Birchington) was a British Pre-Raphaelite painter, of no relation to Simeon Solomon.cite web|url=http://www.phryne.com/artists/89-00-48.HTM|title="Phyrne - Solomon Joseph Solomon"|date=2007-05-17] Solomon's family was Jewish, and his sister, Lily Delissa Joseph (nee Solomon), was also a painter.cite web|url=http://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/biog/Solo_SJ.htm|title="Biography for: Solomon Joseph Solomon"|date=2007-05-17]

Biography

Solomon studied at various art schools, sequentially, Heatherley's Art School, the Royal Academy Schools, the Munich Academy, and École des Beaux-Arts (under Alexandre Cabanel). Solomon also studied separately under Rev. S. Singer.cite book|title="Art in the Age of Queen Victoria: Treasures from the Royal Academy of Arts Permanent Collection"|author=Helen Valentine|page=158] He exhibited his first works as early as 1881, and showed 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.cite web|url=http://dl.lib.brown.edu:8080/exist/mjp/plookup.xq?id=SolomonSolomon|title="Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860-1927)"|date=2007-05-17] He joined, and became president of, the Royal Society of British Artists in 1919.

Art

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 the architect Sir Aston Webb, and later in life, the royals King George V, Queen Mary, and Prince Edward (later King Edward VIII).cite web|url=http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp04176&role=art|title="National Portrait Gallery: Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860-1927)"|date=2007-05-17]

Solomon was also in demand as a book illustrator, particularly adventure books. In 1914, Solomon authored "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.

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