Lawrence Alma-Tadema

On the 8th of January 1836, a boy named Lourens Alma Tadema was born in Dronryp. This village sat in Friesland, the northern province of the Netherlands. His father worked as a notary for the local community. The family moved to Leeuwarden four years later when his father secured a better position. Lourens lost his father at age four. His mother raised five children alone after that tragedy. She decided drawing lessons should be part of their education. He received training from a local master hired for his older half-brothers. The path ahead seemed set for law. That changed in 1851 when he suffered a physical and mental breakdown. Doctors diagnosed him with consumption and gave him only a short time to live. They allowed him to spend his remaining days doing whatever he wished. He spent those days drawing and painting instead of worrying about his health. He regained his strength and chose art over law. In 1852, he entered the Royal Academy of Antwerp in Belgium. There he studied early Dutch and Flemish art under Gustaf Wappers.

From Merovingian To Marble

His early career focused on Merovingian subjects like The Education of the Children of Clovis. This painting created a sensation among critics when exhibited in 1861. It laid the foundation of his fame and reputation. A critic named Louis Jan de Taeye had encouraged historical accuracy in his work. De Taeye introduced him to books that influenced his desire to portray ancient civilizations. He painted Egyptian themes like The Dying Cleopatra beginning in 1859. Those works were later destroyed by the artist himself. A visit to Pompeii shifted everything. During his honeymoon in 1863, he traveled through Florence, Rome, Naples, and finally Pompeii. The ruins fascinated him and inspired much of his future work. He met Geremia Discanno there. Discanno was an Italian painter commissioned to reproduce brightly painted frescoes before they faded from exposure. Tadema consulted Discanno until his death in 1907. This collaboration ensured his paintings reflected the lifestyle of residents accurately. He began working with fresh flowers to achieve precise detail. His technique improved dramatically after criticism about marble rendering compared it to cheese.

When and where was Lawrence Alma-Tadema born?

Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born on the 8th of January 1836 in Dronryp, a village located in Friesland, the northern province of the Netherlands.

Why did Lawrence Alma-Tadema change his career from law to art?

Lawrence Alma-Tadema changed his career after suffering a physical and mental breakdown diagnosed as consumption in 1851. Doctors allowed him to spend his remaining days doing whatever he wished, leading him to choose drawing and painting over law.

How did Lawrence Alma-Tadema achieve historical accuracy in his paintings?

Lawrence Alma-Tadema achieved historical accuracy by consulting Italian painter Geremia Discanno until 1907 and using fresh flowers from across Europe and Africa to ensure precise detail. He also amassed photographs from ancient sites in Italy and designed furniture modeled after Pompeian or Egyptian motifs.

Where did Lawrence Alma-Tadema move to in September 1870 and why?

Lawrence Alma-Tadema moved to London at the beginning of September 1870 due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and his infatuation with Laura Epps. They married in July 1871 when she was eighteen and he was thirty-four.

When did Lawrence Alma-Tadema die and how old was he?

Lawrence Alma-Tadema died on the 28th of June 1912 at age seventy-six while staying at Kaiserhof Spa Wiesbaden Germany for stomach ulcers treatment.

What record price did Lawrence Alma-Tadema's The Finding of Moses sell for in November 2010?

The Finding of Moses sold for $35,922,500 to an undisclosed bidder at Sotheby's New York on the 4th of November 2010. This sale set a new record for any Victorian artist.

Lawrence Alma-Tadema

From Merovingian To Marble

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Common questions

When and where was Lawrence Alma-Tadema born?

Why did Lawrence Alma-Tadema change his career from law to art?

How did Lawrence Alma-Tadema achieve historical accuracy in his paintings?

Where did Lawrence Alma-Tadema move to in September 1870 and why?

When did Lawrence Alma-Tadema die and how old was he?

What record price did Lawrence Alma-Tadema's The Finding of Moses sell for in November 2010?

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Obsession With Detail

Grief And Final Years

Fall And Rediscovery

Legacy In Film And Art