The curtain of Solomon [panels 2 and 4], 1962

cm000821

The curtain of Solomon [panels 2 and 4]

1962

enamel

2 hardboard panels

1: 1220 x 1220 mm
2: 1220 x 1220 mm

1: THE CURTAIN OF / SOLOMON / 2 (on reverse)
2: BUT MINE OWN VINEYARD HAVE I not KEPT (brushpoint, b.c.-b.r.); THE CURTAIN / OF SOLOMON / 4 (on reverse)

Bought with the assistance of a subsidy from the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand

81/68a-b

1: I AM BLACK, BUT COMELY, O
YE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM
AS THE TENTS OF KEDAR, AS
THE CURTAIN OF SOLOMON, LOOK
NOT UPON ME, BECAUSE I AM SWARTHY,
Because the SUN hath scorched
me.
my mother's sons were
incensed against me, they made
me Keeper of the vineyard;
But mine own
vineyard have I not
Kept.
TELL ME

2: IF THOU KNOW NOT, O THOU FAIREST
AMONG WOMEN,
GO THY WAY FORTH BY THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE
FLOCK
AND FEED THY KIDS BESIDE THE SHEPHERDS' TENTS.
I Have compared thee, O my love,
To a steed in Pharahos' [sic] chariots.
THY CHEEKS ARE COMELY WITH PLAITS OF
HAIR,
Thy neck with strings
of jewels.
WE WILL MAKE THEE PLAITS
OF GOLD
WITH STUDS OF SILVER.

These are the two surviving panels of a four-part work.

The text in panel 2 comes from the Song of Solomon 1:5-6; while that of panel 4 comes from the Song of Solomon 1:8-9.