The most successful artist of the Victorian era, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836 – 1912) resided in London, producing exquisitely detailed renderings of striking figures in classical settings. An eminent Dutch painter, Alma-Tadema created elaborate, idealistic images of ancient Greece and Rome, replete with ethereal men and women, intricate architectural accuracy and realistically textured marble, metals and silks. Alma-Tadema produced more than 400 paintings in 60 years, however, his popularity declined when the Victorian era ended. Alma-Tadema’s work regained acclaim in the 20th century, influencing set design in such epic movies as “Ben Hur” and “The Ten Commandments.”

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