Edwin Long (British, 1829-1891)

Originally from Bath, Edwin Long began his career depicting Spanish subjects and scenes of Spanish life. However, in 1874 he visited Egypt and Syria, and this marked the beginning of a successful career as an Orientalist painter. He developed a rich, exotic style, and specialised in biblical stories and life in ancient Egypt. He was appointed a member of the ARA in 1876 and RA in 1881. The following year, his picture Babylonian Marriage Market sold for 6000 guineas - at that time the highest price ever paid for a work of a living artist. Works by the artist can be found at the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.