Lance Solomon

Lance Vaiben Solomon (27 January 1913 – 1989) was an Australian painter, noted for his landscapes. He won the prestigious Wynne Prize on two occasions, in 1946 and 1953.

History Lance was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, a son of Edwin Arthur Vaiben Solomon (20 September 1877 – ), a cabinetmaker, and his wife Jessie Elizabeth Solomon, née Black (1874 – 13 May 1951). Vaiben Solomon (1802–1860) an emancipist transported in 1818 was a grandfather.

He grew up in a house built by his grandfather in Liverpool, which was then bushland on the outskirts of Sydney, moving to Manly in 1920. He always loved drawing, but had little interest in other classes, and left school at age 15. Despite the harsh economic times he was able to earn a few shillings with his pencil and watercolors. At Marsfield he met Robert Johnson (1890–1964), who introduced him to oils. and at another in 1938 sold a large work to influential art patron Howard Hinton. In 1938 he married longtime girlfriend Beryl Nasmith, and moved to Narrabeen.

In 1939 his North West 1939 won a New South Wales Travelling Art Scholarship, which enabled him to study at the Royal Academy School in London. Soon after, however, Britain was at war with Germany and hoped-for travels through Europe were dashed, but his time in England was not totally wasted: he gained the patronage of Reginald Brundrit

He had joined the Citizens Military Force, as a volunteer, in May 1931, giving his trade as "electrician", place of employment 175 George Street, Sydney, and served with the Citizens' Air Force as photographer, discharged in 1933. so offered his services with the 2nd AIF in 1940 and served for 18 months as a cook at Greta, while his wife stayed with a brother in Coolah. rather than the more familiar "Naismith". sometime in 1938. They had two sons: Trevor (born 1940), and Clifford (born 1942).

He died after four months' serious illness, which necessitated amputating a leg.

Recognition He won a New South Wales travelling scholarship in 1939 The NSW Government purchased his Blue Lagoon in 1955 and presented it to HM the Queen Mother during her visit to Australia in 1958 He won the Wynne Prize in 1946 for January Weather, and in 1953 for The River Bend. He won Rural Bank prizes for his paintings Bush Dweller in 1961, and again in 1965 for Mellow Day, which was later purchased by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW for presentation to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Royal Agricultural Society Easter Show 1961, 1962 and 1965.

His work is shown in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra and several State galleries. The Art Gallery of NSW purchased another eight of his paintings in 1958'