Wayback Machine
JUL Jul Aug
Previous capture 19 Next capture
2007 2008 2009
5 captures
22 Jun 06 - 19 Jul 08
sparklines
Close Help

Simeon
Solomon
Research
Archive

FULL-TEXT DOCUMENT - HTML Version

"Fine Arts: Exhibition of the Royal Academy." The Illustrated London News, 13 May 1865: 451.

It is curious (to diverge partially from the class of painting of which we are speaking) to find how often in this exhibition the same fundamental principle of art is violated. Take, for instance, two pictures which naturally associate themselves in one's memory--Mr. Burgess's "Bravo Toro!" (304), a group of spectators at a bull-fight; and Mr. S. Solomon's "Habet!" (431), a party of Roman ladies witnessing a gladiatorial contest. Both give unmixed pain, or may afford a morbid gratification, but neither has a sufficiently evident moral intention. In the one the imagination is driven to figure the bull goring man or horse--doubtless the former, one horse or a dozen being of little account; in the other the exclamation "He has it!" leaves us in no doubt that a mortal thrust or blow has been delivered, and is the more revolting because women are the willing or delighted spectators. In Mr. Burgess's picture, the variety of character and expression is very admirably discriminated; but Mr. Solomon has ventured rather beyond his powers, both in scale and subject: the drawing is inaccurate, the modelling weak, the colouring mannered. (page 451, column 2)

Return to Home Page | Secondary Sources: 1858-1905 | All Secondary Sources

This web site was created by Roberto C. Ferrari and is therefore copyrighted by law. All digital images were reproduced with the permission of the owners; distribution rights for these works rests with the individuals who own the original work of art. All secondary source material reproduced here is protected by copyright with the author or publisher of the original source. The only exception to this rule are those items in the public domain. The rules of fair use apply if you wish to use any information from this site for non-profit educational purposes.