January 2004 Fine Art & Antiques Online Auction
Lot 36. "An Eastern Lily" is a recently rediscovered composition inspired by an elaborate series entitled Daughters of Our Empire, commissioned in the late 1880's by Longs dealer in London, Thomas Agnew and Sons. The series focused on different ethnic beauties found throughout the British Empire. The large single figure work also relates to large-scale compositions of female biblical figures that Long executed in 1883 as well as inspired by Longs interest in Egyptian history. This particular model was a favorite as her likeness is described in such paintings as "Alethe" and "The Chosen Five". Oil on canvas, signed with monogram and dated 1885 at lower left, apprx 50-1/4" x 34", (127.6 x 86.4 cm) Provence: Thomas Agnew & Son, London J. Hemingway (purchased from above June 27, 1912) Literature: Mark Bills, Edwin Longsden Long, R.A., 1998, no. 253, p. 165
60000.00/80000.00