b.Jan. 8, 1836, Dronrijp, Netherlands.
d.June 25, 1912, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Painter and designer of Dutch birth. The son of a notary, Alma-Tadema demonstrated an early artistic ability. In 1852 he entered the Antwerp Academy, where he studied under Gustaf, Baron Wappers, and Nicaise de Keyser. An important influence at this time was Louis De Taye, Professor of Archaeology at the academy and a practising artist. Alma-Tadema lived and worked with De Taye from 1857 to 1859 and was encouraged by him to depict subjects from the early history of France and Belgium. This taste for historical themes increased when Alma-Tadema entered Baron Henri Leys studio in 1859 and began assisting him with his monumental frescoes for the Antwerp Town Hall. While in Leys studio, Alma-Tadema produced several major paintings, for example the Education of the Children of Clovis (1861; ex-Sir John Pender priv. col., see Zimmern, p. 3) and Venantius Fortunatus Reading his Poems to Radagonda (1862; Dordrecht, Dordrechts Mus.), which are characterized by their obscure Merovingian subject-matter, rather sombre colouring and close attention to detail.
opus LX 1868
Oil on panel 28 3/8 x 43 1/2 in/72 x 110.5 cm
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
opus LX 1868
Oil on panel 28 3/8 x 43 1/2 in/72 x 110.5 cm
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Height Width
INS/CM Quality
X
A Hearty Welcome (mk24)
A Hearty Welcome (mk24)
Painting ID:: 23017
Opus CXZ 1878
Oil on canvas,12 x 36 1/2 in/30.5 x 92.7 cm
Ashmolean Museum,Oxford
Opus CXZ 1878
Oil on canvas,12 x 36 1/2 in/30.5 x 92.7 cm
Ashmolean Museum,Oxford
Height Width
INS/CM Quality
X
Strigils and Sponges (mk24)
Strigils and Sponges (mk24)
Painting ID:: 23018
Opus CXCVII 1879
Watercolour,12 1/2 x 5 1/2 in/31.8 x 14 cm
The British Museum,London
Opus CXCVII 1879
Watercolour,12 1/2 x 5 1/2 in/31.8 x 14 cm
The British Museum,London
Height Width
INS/CM Quality
X
The Parting Kiss (mk24)
The Parting Kiss (mk24)
Painting ID:: 23019
Opus CCXL 1882
Oil on panel 44 1/2 x 29 in/113 x 73.7 cm
Private collection
Opus CCXL 1882
Oil on panel 44 1/2 x 29 in/113 x 73.7 cm
Private collection
b.Jan. 8, 1836, Dronrijp, Netherlands.
d.June 25, 1912, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Painter and designer of Dutch birth. The son of a notary, Alma-Tadema demonstrated an early artistic ability. In 1852 he entered the Antwerp Academy, where he studied under Gustaf, Baron Wappers, and Nicaise de Keyser. An important influence at this time was Louis De Taye, Professor of Archaeology at the academy and a practising artist. Alma-Tadema lived and worked with De Taye from 1857 to 1859 and was encouraged by him to depict subjects from the early history of France and Belgium. This taste for historical themes increased when Alma-Tadema entered Baron Henri Leys studio in 1859 and began assisting him with his monumental frescoes for the Antwerp Town Hall. While in Leys studio, Alma-Tadema produced several major paintings, for example the Education of the Children of Clovis (1861; ex-Sir John Pender priv. col., see Zimmern, p. 3) and Venantius Fortunatus Reading his Poems to Radagonda (1862; Dordrecht, Dordrechts Mus.), which are characterized by their obscure Merovingian subject-matter, rather sombre colouring and close attention to detail.