“The Long Engagement”
“The Long Engagement” is a gorgeous oil on canvas painting by the English artist and illustrator, Arthur Hughes, from circa 1854 to 1859. Hughes is mostly remembered for his association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood art movement that occurred in Great Britain during the mid-nineteenth century.
This painting was first exhibited in 1859 along with the following quote from Chaucer: “For how myght ever sweetnesse have be known / To hym that never tastyd bitternesse?”
In this painting, Hughes depicts a curate, the assistant clergy of a parish priest, identifiable by his clothing and hat. He stands against an old tree in the woods with his fiancee. She is staring at her name, “Amy”, which was carved into the tree by her fiance. The carving is partially obscured by ivy. This infers the long passing of time since their inception of their youthful love. A loyal dog is standing by their feet looking at the man, as if it’s also imploring him. The scene is beautified by the dappling shadows and the wildflowers behind the couple.
The likely reason for the long engagement is a societal woe. Curates made little money and it is likely that the fiancée’s family will not allow them to wed until he reaches a higher paying level within the church hierarchy. His poor pay is also suggested by the lack of a wedding ring adorning his fiancée’s finger.
Originally, Hughes had intended to illustrate a scene from Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It. As such, it was originally titled “Orlando” after one of the main characters of the play and set it in the Forest of Arden. He decided against it, removed some of the figures, and finalized the painting as it is today.
Along with “April Love”, “The Long Engagement” is one of Hughes most well-known works. Both paintings depict the trouble with youthful and transient love. They were inspired by paintings created by Hughes’s friend and Pre-Raphaelite artist, John Everett Millais.
“The Long Engagement” is currently on display at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham, England.
For more on Arthur Hughes, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
