Simeon Solomon

Sotheby's, London, 3 November 1993, lot 197 as A Rabbi, where purchased by the present owner

The sheet appears to be sound. A small 1cm tear along right upper edge and a smaller, minor tear in lower right corner. Otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. Held under glass in a dark stained wood frame with a beige mount; unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Throughout his career Solomon had been fascinated with depicting religious men, both Jewish and Christian. In his later pictures he concentrated on a more symbolist depiction of priests, scholars and rabbis in comparison with the earlier, more narrative representations of religious worship. The poet Swinburne, a close friend of Solomon, wrote; 'As the Hebrew love of vast atmosphere and infinite spiritual range without foothold on earth or resting-place in nature is perceptible in the mystic and symbolist cast of so many sketches and studies, so is a certain loving interest in the old sacred forms, in the very body of historic tradition, made manifest in various more literal designs of actual religious offices' (Algernon Charles Swinburne, 'Simeon Solomon: Notes on his "Vision of Love" and Other Studies', in The Dark Blue, 1 July 1871, p.572).