- 307
Simeon Solomon
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Simeon Solomon
- IN THE TEMPLE OF VENUS
- signed with monogram and dated l.r.: 20 4 63, inscribed on the backboard: 'In the Temple of Venus'/ Made by Simeon Solomon at his room / 22 Charles Street, Middlesex Hospital / April 1863
- watercolour
- 25 by 14cm., 9¾ by 5½in.
Literature
An Inventory […] of Pictures at West Horsley Place, Surrey, The property of the Marquess of Crewe, 1938, p. 39
Condition
The sheet appears to be sound. Some faint stains along the edges otherwise the work appears in good overall condition.
Held under glass in a gilt wood frame with 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
In the Temple of Venus predates Solomon's famous watercolour Sappho and Erinna in a Garden at Mytilene (Tate) by only one year and it depicts a similar subject of lesbian love. The 1864 picture includes a statue of Venus and scattered red roses suggesting that the temple at Mytilene was also dedicated to the Goddess of Love. If both pictures depict the temple of Love, it is possible that they both also depict the seventh-century poetess Sappho and her lover Erinna (historians have proved that the poet Erinna could not have met Sappho as they were not alive at the same time).
In the Temple of Venus is also linked to another watercolour painted in 1862, In the Temple of Vesta (private collection). The pictures are roughly equal in dimensions and both depict two women in classical temple settings. It is possible that they were conceived as a pair. A contemporary oil painting also entitled In the Temple of Venus (private collection) depicts a red-haired girl with a scarlet robe that has fallen from her shoulder to exposed a breast, making an offering of herbs to a marble altar garlanded with wreaths - all elements taken from the present picture. The subject was clearly one of Solomon's favourites and he painted at least one more picture with the same title (Victoria & Albert Museum, London).