"And the Sons of God by saw the Daughters of men that They Were Fair" Simeon Solomon (1840-1905) Signed with monogram and dated 11/63 Watercolour and bodycolor on paper 10 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches The title comes from Genesis 4:2

Commentary from the Fine Art Society Catalogue

This early work draws on the images of the Old Testament with which Solomon was brought up. Born into a wealthy artistic and literary family and the brother of a better-known artist. Abraham Solomon, Simeon look an early interest in art. Upon leaching himself to paint, he became a follower of Rossetti and Burne-Jones, and an intimate of Pater, Swinburne and the rest of the circle. He exhibited at the RA between 1858-1872, and received high commendation, including mention in Thackeray's Roundabout Papers.

Solomon was well-versed in Italian poetry and chose many of his subjects from Dante. During his visits to Italy he developed a taste for the delicacy and exactness of Leonardo, Luini and Il Sodoma. Unhappily his early promise dissolved in tragedy -- arrested for homosexuality and ruined professionally, the quality of his work declined until he was eventually reduced to being a pavement artist and died in the St Giles Workhouse. Yet Solomon was potentially one of the most gifted of the followers of the Pre-Raphaelites: his sad end underlined the dangers latent in the mediaeval, mystical and sexual compound from which they drew their inspiration. At his best Solomon's art served as an important link between the Pre-Raphaelites and their followers in the French Symbolist movement.

References

The Paintings and Water-colours and Drawings from the Handley-Read Collection. London: The Fine Art Society, 1974. Catalogue number 79.

Last modified 28 October 2004