Simeon Solomon (1840-1905)

The present drawing is taken from Solomon's 1862-3 design of the subject made for Dalziels' Bible Gallery and published in the 1894 edition. It depicts the sacrifice of fruits referred to in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus, amongst others. Colin Cruise has suggested that the presence of the attendant youths around the bearers of the fruit is a reference to the ambiguity in the texts between a literal and metaphorical meaning of fruit - perhaps 'first-fruits' in fact refers to choice offspring to be given to God. It has been suggested that two of the bearded figures may be portraits of Albert Moore and Frederick Hollyer, both members of Solomon's circle at this time.

We are grateful to Colin Cruise for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.