The Long Engagement by Arthur Hughes, Vintage Art

The Long Engagement (originally titled Orlando)(1854-1859) by Arthur Hughes is a vintage Victorian love and romance fine art Pre-Raphaelite portrait painting. The title refers to middle class social conventions of the time, in particular the fact that the parents of a girl engaged to a poorly paid curate would typically not allow the marriage until he had secured a more remunerative position - i.e. within the church hierarchy. A romantic design featuring a soon to be newlywed couple, a curate and his fiancee in a woodland setting. The woman is looking at her own name (Amy) carved, some while ago, into the trunk of the tree by her fiance as an expression of his love. About the artist: Arthur Hughes (1832-1915) was a PreRaphaelite English painter and illustrator during the Victorian era. His works are noted for their magical, glowing colouring and delicate draftsmanship.