Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Alma-Tadema, Lawrence
ALMA-TADEMA, Lawrence, R.A., a distinguished painter, was born at Dronryp, in the Netherlands, Jan. 8, 1836. He was intended for one of the learned professions, and in training for it the works of the ancient classical writers of course engrossed much of his attention. In 1852 he went to Antwerp, and entered the Academy there as a student. Afterwards he placed himself with the late Baron Henry Leys, whom he assisted in painting several of the large pictures with which the Baron's name is associated. Subsequently he came to London, where he has resided for many years. He obtained a gold medal at Paris in 1864; a second-class medal at the International Exhibition at Paris in 1867; a gold medal at Berlin in 1872, and the grand medal in 1874. Mr. Alma-Tadema became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts at Amsterdam in 1862; Knight of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) in 1866; Knight of the Dutch Lion in 1868; Knight First Class of the Order of St. Michael of Bavaria in 1869; member of the Royal Academy of Munich in 1871: Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) in 1873; member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1873; and member of the Royal Academy of Berlin in 1874. In Jan., 1873, he received letters of denization from the Queen of England, having resolved to reside permanently in this country. He was nominated a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1873, and elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of London, Jan. 26, 1876. In the latter year, also, he was elected a Knight of the Third Class of the Golden Lion of Nassau; in 1877, a Knight of the Third Class of the Crown of Prussia, and an honorary member of the Royal Scottish Academy; in 1878, he obtained a first-class medal at the Paris International Exhibition, and he was nominated an Officer of the Legion of Honour in the same year. Mr. Alma-Tadema was elected a Royal Academician June 19, 1879. He is an honorary member of the Royal Academies of Madrid, Vienna, Stockholm, and Naples. The Emperor of Germany, in Jan., 1881, appointed him a foreign Knight of the Order Pour le Mérite (Art and Sciences Division); and in the following month the French Academy of Fine Arts elected him its London correspondent in the section of Painting. His principal paintings are:—"Entrance to a Roman Theatre," 1866; "Agrippina Visiting the Ashes of Germanicus," 1866; "A Roman Dance," 1866; "The Mummy," 1867; "Tarquinius Superbus," 1867; "The Siesta," 1868; "Phidias and the Elgin Marbles," 1868; "Flowers," 1868; "Flower Market," 1868; "A Roman Amateur," 1868: "Pyrrhic Dance," 1869"; "A Negro," 1869; "The Convalescent," 1869; "A Wine Shop," 1869; "A Juggler," 1870; "A Roman Amateur," 1870; "The Vintage," 1870; "A Roman Emperor," 1871; "Une Fête intime," 1871; "The Greek Pottery," 1871; "Reproaches," 1872; "The Mummy" (Roman period), 1872; "The Improvisatore," 1872: "A Halt," 1872; "Death of the Firstborn," 1872; "Greek Wine," 1872; "The Dinner," 1873; "The Siesta," 1873; "The Cherries," 1873; "Fishing," 1873; "Joseph Overseer of Pharaoh's Granaries," 1874; "A Sculpture Gallery," 1874; "A Picture Gallery," 1874; "Autumn," 1874; "Good Friends," 1874; "On the Steps of the Capitol," 1874; "Water Pets," 1875; "The Sculpture Gallery," 1875; "An Audience at Agrippa's," 1876; "After the Dance," 1876; "Cleopatra," 1876; "The Seasons" (4 pictures), 1877; "Between Hope and Fear," 1877; "A Sculptor's Model (Venus Esquilina); "A Love Missile," 1878; "A Hearty Welcome," "Down to the River," "Pomona Festival," "In the Time of Constantine," 1879; "Spring Festival," "Not at Home," "Fredegonda," 1880; "Sappho," 1881; "An Oleander," and " The Way to the Temple" (his diploma work) 1883. At the Grosvenor Gallery in 1876 he exhibited a series of three pictures—"Architecture," "Sculpture," and " Painting;" also "Cherries." Mr. Alma-Tadema married in 1871, Laura, youngest daughter of Dr. George N. Epps. This lady is an accomplished artist, and has exhibited several works at the Exhibitions of the Royal Academy, and the Society of French Artists in Bond Street.