‘Mercy and Truth are Met Together’, by Simeon Solomon

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Mercy and Truth are Met Together

Simeon Solomon

Wood engraving by the Dalziels [1862].

6½ x 4¾ inches

Alex Foley, Art Pictures from the Old Testament, p.113.

Psalm lxxvv: 10. An allegorical image representing the meeting of Mercy and Truth, Righteousness and Peace, who kiss each other. This composition is a typical example of the hybridity of Solomon’s art, fusing stylistic tendencies from Pre-Raphaelitism and neo-classicism. [Continued below]

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Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke.

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The figure on the right is a Rossettian ‘stunner’ of the type appearing in his half-length portraits of the 1860s, with long swirling hair, a masculine jaw and soulful eyes; while the other recalls the idealised female types of the classicist Albert Moore, one of Solomon’s friends. The overall effect is self-consciously beautiful in the manner of Aestheticism. The emphasis is on creating a harmonious mood, and Solomon reinforces the message of peace and love by including emblematic details in the form of lilies and doves. Little known, this is one of the artist’s most pleasing designs.

Bibliography

Foley, Alex. Art Pictures from the Old Testament and Our Lord’s Parables. London: Edwin Dalton [1921].

Created 4 June 2015