Self-Portrait 1859

Curator: Here we have Simeon Solomon's "Self-Portrait," a graphite drawing housed here at the Tate. It's a small, intimate work, roughly 165 by 146 millimeters. Editor: It feels rather melancholic, doesn't it? The soft lines, the introspective gaze... the grey scale gives it a timeless quality. Curator: The artist’s precise control over the medium allows for a delicate rendering of light and shadow, creating depth despite the limited tonal range. Note how the composition is divided, with the figure's face juxtaposed against the sketch of a figure behind. Editor: Indeed, and the figure behind him seems almost ghostly, like a memory or a symbol of some internal struggle. It recalls the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's fascination with myth and religious imagery, yet with Solomon’s personal twist. Curator: It’s a fascinating study in contrasts, from the meticulously rendered face to the more spontaneous sketch in the background. Editor: A quiet portrait that speaks volumes, wouldn't you say? Curator: Precisely. It's a deceptively simple image, revealing more each time you examine its formal elements.