Special Sub-Topic: Alma-Tadema Click Here To Play: Alma-Tadema

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born in?

1836. His birthday was the 8th January 1836. His father died when he was just 4-years-old.

Alma-Tadema was born where?

Dronryp, Holland. He was actually born Lourens Tadema. His middle name was Alma--more about his name later!

What is Alma Tadema well-known for painting?

Marble. After visiting London for the first time in 1862, Alma-Tadema gained much inspiration from the Elgin Marbles which he saw in the British Museum. His love of marble came after he saw a smoking room in a club which was lined in marble. His teacher said his first attempt of painting marble actually had more resemblance of cheese! Later his paintings were said to "reanimate the the life of the old Romans" by crutcs.

Alma-Tadema is classed as?

Pre-Rephaelite. Although he is commonly known as a pre-raphaelite, it has been said that he more or less created his own school rather than belonging to any others.

What were the names of Alma-Tadema's two daughters?

Anna and Laurence. Alma-Tadema also had a son who died of smallpox in 1865 and just four years later his wife Pauline died which left him to bring up his two daughers alone until he re-married. His second wife Lady Laura Alma-Tadema was also an artist.

What was the main reason Alma-Tadema changed his name by linking his middle and last name together?

To put him nearer the beginning of alphabetical catalogues. Alma-Tadema never actually hyphenated his name himself, but because everyone did, it became the norm and it is never seen Almatadema. His name is pronounced Alma-tad-em-a and not Tadeeeema in case you wondered!

One of his most popular paintings is of three women feeding fish, they are surrounded by white marble against an astonishing blue sea and sky. What is the name of this painting?

Silver Favourites. As he was such a perfectionist, Alma-Tadema would rather delay the promised finishing date than rush so that everything was spot on and he was happy with his work.

Over sixty years, how many painting did Alma-Tadema produce?

Over 400. He mainly painted in oils and his paintings still look as though they have just been finished. Even though they are very old, the colours are so vivid and the detail so precise.

How many years did it take Alma-Tadema to paint "Spring"?

4. The final painting features members of his family, many of his friends and some of his collegues and their families.

In what year did Alma-Tadema die?

1912. Alma-Tadema is buried in St Pauls Cathedral although he was Dutch he settled in London in 1870. His daughers both died having never married.