The Moorish Proselytes of Archbishop Ximenes, Granada, 1500
This scene depicts the aftermath of the Christian reconquest of Granada in 1492 and the end of Muslim rule in Andalusia. Initially the Islamic residents of Granada were granted protection but by 1500 Archbishop Ximenes ordered that all Muslims had to convert to Christianity or face expulsion. Archbishop Ximenes is seated on the left of the picture. He stares triumphantly at the queue of dejected people waiting to be baptised.
Long started his career as a portraitist, but through the acquaintance of John Phillip RA, travelled to Spain and Egypt and was greatly influenced by the work of Velazquez and other Spanish masters. He later changed his focus from Spanish genre paintings to biblical scenes, rendering them with close attention to archaeological detail. He achieved great commercial and artistic sense which finally unlocked membership of the Royal Academy for him in 1881.
Merton Russell-Cotes had great respect for Long describing him as ‘one of the most courteous and genial men among the Royal Academicians that I have known. I am proud to say that I have secured five of his greatest works.’
