Thisbe
1875
Edwin Long’s 'Thisbe' captures a moment of restless anticipation, showing the mythological heroine leaning over an ornate, Egyptian-style balcony. Surrounded by intricate hieroglyphs and zodiac symbols like a scorpion and a turtle, she gazes off into the distance, clearly waiting for her lover Pyramus. This tragic tale of star-crossed lovers actually inspired Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet.' Long was famous for his meticulous attention to archaeological detail, recreating ancient settings with almost museum-like precision to satisfy the Victorian craze for all things Egyptian.