“The Afterglow in Egypt, 19th century” is an oil on canvas artwork by William Holman Hunt, associated with the Romanticism and Orientalism movements. This allegorical painting measures 37 x 82 cm and is located at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, UK.
The artwork depicts a serene desert landscape with a distinguished figure of a woman in traditional attire in the foreground. She is adorned in a flowing dark blue dress with intricate patterns and is carrying a birdcage on her head, filled with several birds, symbolizing perhaps a sense of captivity and freedom. In one hand, she holds a green vase, adding to her poised demeanor. A calf follows at her side, further enriching the rural and tranquil setting. In the background, other figures are engaged in rural activities near a water body, with palm trees and straw huts dotting the distant landscape. The painting is rich in detail and vibrant in its portrayal of an idyllic scene, capturing the essence and romanticized beauty of Egypt during the 19th century.