Love 1858

Simeon Solomon made this drawing, titled "Love," in England, at some point in his career. It shows a medieval scene in delicate pencil strokes, with the figure of Love as a young man watching over a sleeping figure. Solomon's piece subtly evokes the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which influenced his aesthetic, but it also carries the weight of the artist's own social context. As a Jewish and openly homosexual man, he confronted the rigid social mores of Victorian England. The androgynous figures in "Love" reflect Solomon's exploration of gender and sexuality. This can be seen as a progressive challenge to Victorian ideals. Yet, in 1873, Solomon’s career was abruptly cut short due to public scandal and imprisonment, the result of his homosexuality, then a criminal offense. Understanding "Love" means examining not just its aesthetic qualities, but also Solomon's biography. We have to consult historical records to understand the social and institutional constraints that shaped both his art and his life.