1-152-178 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), Dutch-born British painter, 1881. Alma-Tadema moved to London in 1870. He had exhibited two paintings at the Royal Academy the previous year, which had been very well-received. He became a Royal Academician in 1879, and by the 1880s he was one of the most popular and famous artists in Britain, with clients including members of the British and Russian royal families. He specialised in idyllic Classical scenes. Alma-Tadema received a knighthood in 1899, and was held in such regard by the establishment that, when he died in 1912, he was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.