May Morning on Magdalen College Tower by William Holman Hunt. A large group of men and boys in white robes sing from a stone tower rooftop against a bright, cloud-filled morning sky.

May Morning on Magdalen College Tower

William Holman Hunt

1890 · Oil Paint, Canvas

A vibrant Pre-Raphaelite scene depicting the traditional May Morning ceremony atop Magdalen College Tower in Oxford.

$169

For the selected configuration

From $129

6 frame sizes

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Made to order in ~2 business days · Free U.S. standard shipping (typically 5–8 business days after dispatch)

Where it works

A bold work with active energy with softened warm notes — brings a composed sense of weight.

Often works in
Living Room · Library · Study
Placement
Works well when the wall can carry a broader statement
Walls
Reads strongest when the wall gives it contrast
Color notes
Soft gray, Charcoal black, Rich brown

About the piece

Painted by William Holman Hunt in 1890, this masterpiece captures the annual sunrise hymn-singing tradition in Oxford. The work exemplifies the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood’s commitment to intricate detail, luminous color, and the celebration of historical English customs, presenting a moment of communal joy and spiritual elevation.