A protégé of Frederic, Lord Leighton, he joined Dickens’ circle and in 1874 married Kate, Dickens’ youngest daughter.
Aestheticism
One famous painting of Hypatia, based on Queen Victoria’s favourite novel, and a handful of others – a fascinating glimpse of a promising artist.
Music and musicians have been very popular themes for paintings since before the Renaissance. How successful are they in evoking our auditory imaginations?
Looking and sniffing at one of the toughest non-visual theme for paintings. Can any go beyond mere allegory and ev0ke the sensation?
Second and final part to commemorate his death a century ago, with several of his finest paintings.
He died a century ago, a succession of brilliant and very successful paintings behind him. First of two parts in retrospect.
A popular title in the 19th century, it is almost a hallmark of the Aesthetic movement: no narrative, no meaning, just art for art’s sake. Except…
Beautiful paintings, devoid of narrative, symbols, or meaning. They represent the height of the Aesthetic movement: ‘pure’ art.
After a brush with almost Impressionist landscapes, did he settle down and paint Rome and Greece purely for the sake of art?
After his reputation was shredded by Roger Fry, Alma-Tadema was almost forgotten. Why should his work now be revived?
