How does The Babylonian Marriage Market elucidate its Artist's background?
Edwin Long was a portrait painter who was highly reclusive, shying away from public appearances and publicity. He is noted to have painted more large-scale paintings than any of his peers from the English Royal Artistic Academy. Long was inspired by cultural artefacts, people and historical writings for his subject matter; the Histories of Herodotus inspired The Babylonian Marriage Market. His sketches of Spanish life during travels in Spain were received well by the art audience and academics of the time. This increased his public profile. The increased notability helped to establish Long within the English Royal Art Academy.As his career and productivity increased, The Babylonian Marriage Market was shown at the Royal Academy, selling for 6,605 pounds, the largest price a painting had ever been sold at the time. This success as well as his persisting interest in Egyptian History led to further travels including Egypt in his later years. Long was selected as a Royal Academician in 1876 and 1881.
artefacts painting English Royal Artistic Academy Babylonia Babylon Egyptian History Royal Academy Herodotus Edwin Long