Biography: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
1836 - 1912
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, the painter of 'Victorians in Togas' was one of the most successful artists of the 19th century. In his time both internationally famous and immensely popular, scarcely a middle-class Victorian drawing room was without at least one print of his work. Yet a few years after his death he was all but forgotten.
Laurens (changed later to the more English 'Lawrence') Tadema was born on 8 January 1836, in the small village of Dronrijp, Holland. He was the sixth child of Pieter Jiltes Tadema, a notary. It is believed he affixed the name Alma to his last name in order to appear nearer the beginning of the alphabetic catalogues, and is probably the name of his godfather.
Parental pressure to become a lawyer saw the young Alma-Tadema enrolled at the gymnasium of Leeuwarden, and although a good student, he always wanted to be an artist. Wiith great enthusiasm, he tried to pursue both courses, causing such a dramatic decline of his health that his doctors believed his death imminent. To great surprise however, he recovered completely. This marked the beginning of a new period of his life. In 1851, he went to study at the Antwerp Academy where he received teaching first by Gustave Wappers, and later by Nicaise de Keyser. Upon leaving the academy in 1856, he continued to study art, and also the history of Germany, early France and Belgium under the guidance of Louis de Taye.
Interior of the Church of San Clemente
(1863)
A clear inspiration in the design of
Alma-Tadema's studio at 44 Grove End Road.
In 1859 Alma-Tadema became a pupil of Henrik Leys, joining his studio in Antwerp, and in 1861, Tadema's work 'The Education of the Children of Clovis' was exhibited and he became a success. In 1862, Alma-Tadema left Leys's studio and began his own career. The period that followed is referred to his 'Continental' period, and marks the time in which he established himself as a significant contemporary European artist.
Alma-Tadema's main works were of classical genre, often dedicated to ancient Egypt (e.g. 'An Egyptian Widow', 1872), Greek and Roman history (e.g. 'A Roman Family', 1868, 'An Audience at Agrippa's', 1876).
In 1870, Alma-Tadema moved to England, where he was to spend the rest of his life. He was to become one of the most famous and highly paid artists of his time, acknowledged and rewarded by the fellow artists as well as the governments of many European countries. By 1879, he had been elected as a full member of the Royal Academy of Arts and was, in 1899, knighted by Queen Victoria. Among his most famous works are 'An Apodyterium' (1886), 'Spring' (1894), 'The Coliseum' (1896), 'The Baths of Caracalla' (1899), 'Silver Favourites' (1903), 'The Finding of Moses' (1904) and 'A Favourite Custom (1909)'.
Despite having been predicted an early exit from this world, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema died in 1912, at the age of 75.
More Information
Websites
Sources
- Swanson, V.G. (1977). Bibliography: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. London.
- Wood, C. (1999). Victorian Painting. Bulfinch Press.
- Barrow, R.J. (2001). Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Phaidon Press Inc.