# Solomon Joseph Solomon

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon
> Source revision: 1353575434
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

English painter (1860–1927)

Solomon Joseph Solomon Self-portrait, c. 1896 Born 16 September 1860 (1860-09-16) London, England Died 27 July 1927(1927-07-27) (aged 66) Birchington-on-Sea, Kent, England Known for Portrait painting Notable work Psyche Elected Royal Academy President, Royal Society of British Artists

*[Ajax and Cassandra](/source/Ajax_and_Cassandra)* (1886). In the collection of the [Art Gallery of Ballarat](/source/Art_Gallery_of_Ballarat) in [Victoria](/source/Victoria_(Australia)), Australia[1]

Portrait of French mezzo-soprano [Blanche Marchesi](/source/Blanche_Marchesi)

**Solomon Joseph Solomon** [RA](/source/Royal_Academy_of_Arts) [RBA](/source/Royal_Society_of_British_Artists) (16 September 1860 – 27 July 1927) was a British painter, a founding member of the [New English Art Club](/source/New_English_Art_Club) and member of the [Royal Academy](/source/Royal_Academy).[2]

Solomon's family was [Jewish](/source/Jew), and his sister, [Lily Delissa Joseph](/source/Lily_Delissa_Joseph) (née Solomon), was also a painter.[3] He made an important contribution to the development of [camouflage](/source/Military_camouflage) in the [First World War](/source/First_World_War), working in particular on tree observation posts and arguing tirelessly for camouflage netting.

## Biography

Born in London in 1860, Solomon studied at various art schools, sequentially, [Heatherley School of Fine Art](/source/Heatherley_School_of_Fine_Art), the [Royal Academy Schools](/source/Royal_Academy_Schools), the [Munich Academy](/source/Academy_of_Fine_Arts%2C_Munich), and [École des Beaux-Arts](/source/%C3%89cole_Nationale_Sup%C3%A9rieure_des_Beaux-Arts) (under [Alexandre Cabanel](/source/Alexandre_Cabanel)). Solomon also studied separately under Rev. S. Singer.[3][4] He exhibited his first works as early as 1881, and showed at the Royal Academy, the [New Gallery](/source/New_Gallery_(London)), and the [Society of British Artists](/source/Royal_Society_of_British_Artists).[3] In 1886, he became one of the founding members of the [New English Art Club](/source/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.[3][5] He joined, and became president of, the Society of British Artists in 1919.[3] In 1921 "Col. S.J. Solomon, R.A., P.R.B.A." was listed as one of the early members of the newly formed [Society of Graphic Art](/source/Society_of_Graphic_Art).

Solomon died on 27 July 1927, he is buried at Willesden United Synagogue Cemetery in London.

## Art

*Samson* (1887) which is on display at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Solomon's painting was grounded in his influence from his teacher [Alexandre Cabanel](/source/Alexandre_Cabanel), but was also influenced by [Frederic Leighton](/source/Frederic_Leighton%2C_1st_Baron_Leighton) and [Lawrence Alma-Tadema](/source/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. In 1897 he painted a mural for the [Royal Exchange, London](/source/Royal_Exchange%2C_London) *Charles I demanding the Five Members at the Guildhall, 1641–42*. One of Solomon's most popular works was *Samson* (1887), depicting a scene from the biblical story of [Samson](/source/Samson) and [Delilah](/source/Delilah).[1] This painting was praised for its use of multiple male nudes in active poses.[4] *Samson* is one of few Solomon paintings on regular display, at the [Walker Art Gallery](/source/Walker_Art_Gallery) in [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool).[1] Some other Solomon paintings that have received significant attention include *[Ajax and Cassandra](/source/Ajax_and_Cassandra)* (1886) and *The Birth of Love* (1896).[1]

Solomon became well known as an innovative portrait artist by the time he painted *[Mrs Patrick Campbell](/source/Mrs_Patrick_Campbell) as 'Paula Tanqueray'* [ARA](/source/Associate_Member_of_the_Royal_Academy) (1894),[3] her role in [Arthur Wing Pinero](/source/Arthur_Wing_Pinero)'s *[The Second Mrs Tanqueray](/source/The_Second_Mrs_Tanqueray)*, and went on to paint a number of portraits of well-known people, including the architect [Sir Aston Webb](/source/Aston_Webb), and later in life, the royals [King George V](/source/George_V_of_the_United_Kingdom), [Queen Mary](/source/Mary_of_Teck), and [Prince Edward](/source/Edward_VIII_of_the_United_Kingdom) (later King Edward VIII).[6] Solomon was also in demand as a book illustrator, particularly adventure books.[5] In 1914, Solomon authored *The Practice of Oil Painting and Drawing*. In 1942 his painting [*Psyche*](/source/Psyche_(painting)) was stolen from [Robert McDougall Art Gallery](/source/Robert_McDougall_Art_Gallery) in [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).[7][8]

## Camouflage

A British [Mark I tank](/source/Mark_I_tank) with the Solomon camouflage scheme

During [World War I](/source/World_War_I), Solomon was a pioneer of [camouflage](/source/Military_camouflage) techniques. Having originally signed-up at the start of the war as a [private](/source/Private_(rank)) in The [Artists Rifles](/source/Artists_Rifles), a [Territorial Force](/source/Army_Reserve_(United_Kingdom)) regiment, he promoted his ideas on camouflage, initially in the press and then directly to senior army officers.[9]

In December 1915, General [Herbert Plumer](/source/Herbert_Plumer) arranged for Solomon to visit the front lines and investigate techniques in use by the French. His ideas were accepted, and he was asked to set up a team to start the production of camouflage materials in France.[10] On 31 December 1915, General [Douglas Haig](/source/Douglas_Haig), Commander-in-chief of the British forces in France, instructed that Solomon be given the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel to enable him to carry out his new duties.[11]

Main article: [Camouflage tree](/source/Camouflage_tree)

The new unit's first task was the design of armoured observation posts disguised as trees, following the pioneering work of the French Section de Camouflage led by [Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola](/source/Lucien-Victor_Guirand_de_Sc%C3%A9vola). The first British tree observation post was put up on 22 March 1916. Solomon was effective at the artistic and technical tasks of designing trees and nets, but not as a commander. He was replaced in March 1916, instead becoming a technical advisor, a role that suited him better. In May 1916, he was sent to England to help develop [tank](/source/Tank) camouflage. Solomon doubted that tanks could be effectively camouflaged since they cast a large shadow. Instead, he argued for the use of camouflage netting, with which he gradually became obsessed, claiming that the Germans were hiding huge armies under immense nets. Camouflage netting was at first considered unimportant by the army; it was not manufactured in large quantities until 1917.[12] Eventually, in 1920, he published a book, *Strategic Camouflage*, arguing this case, to critical derision in England but with some support from German newspapers.[12][13][14]

In December 1916, Solomon established a camouflage school in [Hyde Park](/source/Hyde_Park%2C_London)[15] which was eventually taken over by the army.[12]

## Family life

Solomon's sister was artist [Lily Delissa Joseph](/source/Lily_Delissa_Joseph), and his sister's daughter [Gertrude Golda Lowy](/source/Gertrude_Golda_Lowy) was a suffragette and member of the [Women's Social and Political Union](/source/Women's_Social_and_Political_Union) (WSPU) and the [Jewish League for Woman Suffrage](/source/Jewish_League_for_Woman_Suffrage).

In 1897 Solomon was married to Ella Montagu , the daughter of Hyman Montagu, F.S.A.

Solomon's daughter, Iris, was married to [Ewen Montagu](/source/Ewen_Montagu), one of the "brains" behind [Operation Mincemeat](/source/Operation_Mincemeat) in World War Two.[16] Their daughter is art historian [Jennifer Montagu](/source/Jennifer_Montagu).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Solomon was a second-cousin once-removed of the American playwright [Moss Hart](/source/Moss_Hart).[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tiscali_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tiscali_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tiscali_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-tiscali_1-3) ["Solomon Joseph Solomon RA PRBA (1860-1927)"](http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speel//paint/solomons.htm). 17 May 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-phyrne_2-0)** ["Phryne - Solomon Joseph Solomon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070723233158/http://www.phryne.com/artists/89-00-48.HTM). 17 May 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.phryne.com/artists/89-00-48.HTM) on 23 July 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-whistler_3-5) ["Biography for: Solomon Joseph Solomon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080617122749/http://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/biog/Solo_SJ.htm). 17 May 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/biog/Solo_SJ.htm) on 17 June 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-valentine_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-valentine_4-1) Helen Valentine. *Art in the Age of Queen Victoria: Treasures from the Royal Academy of Arts Permanent Collection*. p. 158.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mjp_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mjp_5-1) ["Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860-1927)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060902172726/http://dl.lib.brown.edu:8080/exist/mjp/plookup.xq?id=SolomonSolomon). 17 May 2007. Archived from [the original](http://dl.lib.brown.edu:8080/exist/mjp/plookup.xq?id=SolomonSolomon) on 2 September 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-npg_6-0)** ["National Portrait Gallery: Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860-1927)"](http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp04176&role=art). 17 May 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["ART GALLERY THEFT"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19420623.2.17). *Waikato Times*. No. 21762. 23 June 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2024 – via [PapersPast](/source/PapersPast).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jackson, Penelope (2016). *Art Thieves, Fakers & Fraudsters: The New Zealand Story*. Awa Press. pp. 70–79. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781927249512](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781927249512).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERankin200843–44,_111_9-0)** [Rankin 2008](#CITEREFRankin2008), pp. 43–44, 111.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERankin2008119_10-0)** [Rankin 2008](#CITEREFRankin2008), p. 119.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERankin2008122_11-0)** [Rankin 2008](#CITEREFRankin2008), p. 122.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Forbes_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Forbes_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Forbes_12-2) Forbes, 2009. pages 106-109.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERankin2008232_13-0)** [Rankin 2008](#CITEREFRankin2008), p. 232.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LRB_14-0)** Wright, Patrick (23 June 2005). ["Cubist Slugs"](http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n12/patrick-wright/cubist-slugs). *London Review of Books*. **27** (12): 16–20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERankin2008181_15-0)** [Rankin 2008](#CITEREFRankin2008), p. 181.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Ben Macintyre. *Operation Mincemeat*. Bloomsbury, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBach2002340_17-0)** [Bach 2002](#CITEREFBach2002), p. 340.

## Bibliography

- Pery, Jenny (1990). *Solomon J Solomon RA*. [Ben Uri Art Gallery](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Uri_Art_Gallery&action=edit&redlink=1).

- [Rankin, Nicholas](/source/Nicholas_Rankin) (2008). *Churchill's Wizards: The British Genius for Deception 1914-1945*. [Faber and Faber](/source/Faber_and_Faber). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-571-22196-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-571-22196-7).

- Bach, Steven (2002). [*Dazzler: The Life and Times of Moss Hart*](https://archive.org/details/dazzlerlifetimeso00bach). Da Capo Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0306811357](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0306811357).

- Forbes, Peter (2009). *[Dazzled and Deceived: Mimicry and Camouflage](/source/Dazzled_and_Deceived%3A_Mimicry_and_Camouflage)*. Yale University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0300178968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0300178968).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Solomon Joseph Solomon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Solomon_Joseph_Solomon).

- [74 artworks by or after Solomon Joseph Solomon](https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/search/actor:solomon-solomon-joseph-18601927) at the [Art UK](/source/Art_UK) site

- [THE PRACTICE OF OIL PAINTING AND OF DRAWING AS ASSOCIATED WITH IT](http://www.artgraphica.net/free-art-lessons/oil-painting-book/oil-painting-book.html)

- [Profile on Royal Academy of Arts Collections](http://www.racollection.org.uk/ixbin/indexplus?_IXACTION_=file&_IXFILE_=templates/full/person.html&_IXTRAIL_=Academicians&person=5898)

v t e Camoufleurs World War I Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola Jean-Louis Forain Louis Guingot Loyd A. Jones John Graham Kerr Paul Klee Franz Marc Alister Hardy André Mare Kimon Nicolaïdes Solomon Joseph Solomon Abbott Handerson Thayer Maximilian Toch Leon Underwood Edward Wadsworth Everett Warner Norman Wilkinson World War II Tony Ayrton Geoffrey Barkas Hugh Casson John Codner Bainbridge Copnall Hugh B. Cott Victorine Foot Frederick Gore Stanley William Hayter Ivan Konev Jasper Maskelyne Oliver Messel Colin Moss Roland Penrose Peter Proud Fred Pusey Brian Robb Peter Scott Edward Seago Alan Sorrell Basil Spence Steven Sykes Ernest Townsend Julian Trevelyan Wilfred Clement Von Berg

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Israel Artists ULAN RKD Artists Victoria Musée d'Orsay People Archaeology Data Service DDB Other IdRef Open Library SNAC Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Solomon Joseph Solomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.