Edwin Long

Biography of Edwin Long ( 1829-1891 )

Born in 1829, Edwin Long was a British genre painter, particularly renowned for his meticulous technique and the authenticity of his reconstructions of ancient and biblical times.

The son of a painter, Edwin Long displayed a remarkable talent for drawing from an early age. However, he was twice rejected by the Royal Academy, which considered his work too weak. Following this setback, he returned to his hometown of Bath and received a solid education at Dr. Viner’s school. Around 1850, he decided to settle in London. There, he began by copying the Old Masters at the British Museum, then joined the studio of James Mathews Leigh, where he painted portraits. He met John Phillip, who inspired in him a taste for travel. Together, they journeyed through Spain, where Long painted numerous genre scenes that he later exhibited in London. He stayed regularly in Spain between 1857 and 1873. Strongly influenced by the work of Murillo, he produced scenes of Spanish life as well as portraits.

During this period, he also painted historical scenes drawn from the Bible or inspired by Antiquity, in a style similar to that of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.

In 1874, he visited the Holy Land and traveled to Syria and Egypt. This marked the beginning of his career as an Orientalist painter. He developed a rich, exotic style teeming with detail, often working on large canvases that allowed him to create elaborate compositions depicting processions or sumptuous palaces. Meticulous in his attention to detail, Edwin Long skillfully combined his artistic style with his archaeological knowledge of the Near East.

His paintings were highly sought after by Victorian high society, and he enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime. Among his best-known works, The Babylonian Marriage Market was widely acclaimed at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1875. At the time, it became the most expensive work ever purchased from a living artist.

Edwin Long was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1876 and became a full Academician in 1881. His large-scale biblical compositions earned him undeniable success.