Egyptian beauty

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.