Marc-Louis-Emmanuel Solon (1835 – 23 June 1913), pseudonym Miles, was a renowned French porcelain artist. After beginning his career at the Sèvres Pottery, he moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 1870 to work at Mintons Ltd, where he became the leading exponent of the technique of ceramic decoration called pâte-sur-pâte. His work commanded high prices in the late Victorian period.
Mintons vases designed by Marc-Louis-Emmanuel Solon in the pâte-sur-pâte style, 1880
Solon married Laure, the daughter of Minton's art director, Léon Arnoux, and the Solons raised a large family in The Villas near the Mintons factory. Their eldest son, Léon-Victor Solon (1872–1957), joined Minton in the 1890s and became art director (1900–1909). Leon made an important contribution to art nouveau ceramics at Minton before moving to the United States.[1] Other notable sons include Camille Solon and Albert Solon of Solon and Schemmel Tile Company.
Artedit
Despite some family resistance to his becoming an artist, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and with Horace Lecoq de Boisbaudran.[2] Some of Solon's work came to the attention of the art director of the Sèvres Pottery. Solon was employed at Sèvres from 1862–70 as a ceramic artist and designer and was where he learned and began to perfect the technique of pâte-sur-pâte. His styles were derived from Classical Greece, the Renaissance, 17th- and 18th-century paintings, and Victorian postcards while his subjects often included portraits, female figures, putti (cherubs), small animals, and birds. His early work was produced under the pseudonym Miles, said to be based on his initials M L E S. A number of these earlier pieces are housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum and in the collection of the former Minton Museum.
Solon moved from France to England in 1870 to flee from the Franco-Prussian War. He found employment at Mintons Ltd, and settled at Nº1, The Villas, Stoke-on-Trent.[3] Mintons had a history of employing foreign artists, starting with their first Frenchman in 1848, the art director Léon Arnoux, followed by other French artists such as the sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. While working at Mintons Solon became the leading expert in the pâte-sur-pâte technique. Mintons experienced more demand for pâte-sur-pâte ceramics than Solon could fulfill on his own so he trained a number of apprentices including Frederick Alfred Rhead and Alboin Birks. There ensued a golden age of pâte-sur-pâte in Stoke-on-Trent that stretched into the early years of the 20th century.
One of Solon's vases, believed to be his largest, is on display at Osborne House.
Minton Porcelain Plaque designed by Marc-Louis Solon. Circa 1880.
Literary interestsedit
Vase by Marc-Louis Emanuel Solon, Sèvres Porcelain Factory, 1869, at Wadsworth Atheneum - Hartford, CT
During his early years in Staffordshire Solon collected local pottery. He used the collection as the basis of his 1883 publication, The Art of the Old English Potter, a book about pottery produced before Josiah Wedgwood transformed the industry.[5]
Other publications include:
A History and Description of the old French Faïence (London, 1903)[6]
A History and Description of Italian Maiolica (London, 1907)
Ceramic Literature (London, 1910)
He also collected books about ceramics and after his death, his library was acquired by the local technical college with funds provided by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust.
Referencesedit
^Muter, Grant (1985). "Leon Solon and John Wadsworth". Journal of the Decorative Arts Society. JSTOR 41809144. (accessed via JSTOR, subscription required)
^"(untitled)". The Guardian. 24 June 1913. p. 18. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ab"Mr. L. M. Solon". The Guardian. 25 June 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
^A History and Description of the old French Faïence.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marc-Louis-Emmanuel Solon.
Examples of pâte-sur-pâte are to be found in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Hanley, Staffordshire, whose collection includes items from the former Minton museum. The website has a which allows you to view images of pâte-sur-pâte (if you type in the keyword "Solon").
Oxford Art Online entry
December 19, 2023
marc, louis, solon, marc, louis, emmanuel, solon, 1835, june, 1913, pseudonym, miles, renowned, french, porcelain, artist, after, beginning, career, sèvres, pottery, moved, stoke, trent, 1870, work, mintons, where, became, leading, exponent, technique, ceramic. Marc Louis Emmanuel Solon 1835 23 June 1913 pseudonym Miles was a renowned French porcelain artist After beginning his career at the Sevres Pottery he moved to Stoke on Trent in 1870 to work at Mintons Ltd where he became the leading exponent of the technique of ceramic decoration called pate sur pate His work commanded high prices in the late Victorian period Marc Louis E SolonBorn1835 1835 Montauban FranceDied23 June 1913 aged 78 Stoke on Trent EnglandNationalityFrenchOccupationPorcelain artistKnown forPate sur pateSolon was born in Montauban Tarn et Garonne After moving to England at the time of the Franco Prussian War he lived there for the rest of his life Contents 1 Family 2 Art 3 Gallery 4 Literary interests 5 References 6 External linksFamily edit nbsp Mintons vases designed by Marc Louis Emmanuel Solon in the pate sur pate style 1880Solon married Laure the daughter of Minton s art director Leon Arnoux and the Solons raised a large family in The Villas near the Mintons factory Their eldest son Leon Victor Solon 1872 1957 joined Minton in the 1890s and became art director 1900 1909 Leon made an important contribution to art nouveau ceramics at Minton before moving to the United States 1 Other notable sons include Camille Solon and Albert Solon of Solon and Schemmel Tile Company Art editDespite some family resistance to his becoming an artist he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and with Horace Lecoq de Boisbaudran 2 Some of Solon s work came to the attention of the art director of the Sevres Pottery Solon was employed at Sevres from 1862 70 as a ceramic artist and designer and was where he learned and began to perfect the technique of pate sur pate His styles were derived from Classical Greece the Renaissance 17th and 18th century paintings and Victorian postcards while his subjects often included portraits female figures putti cherubs small animals and birds His early work was produced under the pseudonym Miles said to be based on his initials M L E S A number of these earlier pieces are housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum and in the collection of the former Minton Museum Solon moved from France to England in 1870 to flee from the Franco Prussian War He found employment at Mintons Ltd and settled at Nº1 The Villas Stoke on Trent 3 Mintons had a history of employing foreign artists starting with their first Frenchman in 1848 the art director Leon Arnoux followed by other French artists such as the sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier Belleuse While working at Mintons Solon became the leading expert in the pate sur pate technique Mintons experienced more demand for pate sur pate ceramics than Solon could fulfill on his own so he trained a number of apprentices including Frederick Alfred Rhead and Alboin Birks There ensued a golden age of pate sur pate in Stoke on Trent that stretched into the early years of the 20th century One of Solon s vases believed to be his largest is on display at Osborne House He died at Stoke on Trent on 23 June 1913 4 5 Gallery edit nbsp Marc Louis Emmanuel Solon at Mount Holyoke College Art Museum nbsp Plaque with Tree Spirits 1880 at Los Angeles County Museum of Art nbsp Marc Louis Emmanuel Solon at Mount Holyoke College Art Museum nbsp 1900 Annual Report of the Philadelphia Museum of Art nbsp Minton Porcelain Plaque designed by Marc Louis Solon Circa 1880 Literary interests edit nbsp Vase by Marc Louis Emanuel Solon Sevres Porcelain Factory 1869 at Wadsworth Atheneum Hartford CTDuring his early years in Staffordshire Solon collected local pottery He used the collection as the basis of his 1883 publication The Art of the Old English Potter a book about pottery produced before Josiah Wedgwood transformed the industry 5 Other publications include A History and Description of the old French Faience London 1903 6 A History and Description of Italian Maiolica London 1907 Ceramic Literature London 1910 He also collected books about ceramics and after his death his library was acquired by the local technical college with funds provided by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust References edit Muter Grant 1985 Leon Solon and John Wadsworth Journal of the Decorative Arts Society JSTOR 41809144 accessed via JSTOR subscription required SOLON Louis Marc Emmanuel The Villas untitled The Guardian 24 June 1913 p 18 Retrieved 19 April 2020 via Newspapers com a b Mr L M Solon The Guardian 25 June 1913 p 8 Retrieved 19 April 2020 via Newspapers com A History and Description of the old French Faience External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marc Louis Emmanuel Solon Potteries Museum amp Art Gallery Examples of pate sur pate are to be found in the Potteries Museum amp Art Gallery in Hanley Staffordshire whose collection includes items from the former Minton museum The website has a search facility which allows you to view images of pate sur pate if you type in the keyword Solon Oxford Art Online entry Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marc Louis Solon amp oldid 1159526131, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
