This portrait of the famous Russian-Jewish violinist, Mischa Elman (1891–1967), captures the musician at play. The finely painted face shows Solomon’s skill as a portraitist and contrasts with the sketchy lower half of the picture which effectively visualises the energy of the violinist in full flow. Born in 1860 in London, Solomon studied at the Royal Academy (under Leighton) and the École de Beaux Arts, Paris (under Cabanel). A noted academic painter, celebrated for his historical and biblical compositions as well as his portraiture, Solomon was a founder member of many societies including the New English Art Club and The Society of Portrait Painters and President of the Ben Uri (1924–1926). In 1906 Solomon was only the second Jewish painter to be elected a Royal Academician.