Abstract:
Dutch artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (b. 1836 – d. 1912) was one of the most prolific painters of nineteenth-century Britain. Though his reputation as an artist quickly declined after his death, there has been increased scholarship focusing on his art in recent decades, as well as a greater popularity amongst the art world due to a string of highprofile auctions. However, less significantly, is the focus of study on his two London homes, even within the current vogue of analysis of the artistic houses of Alma-Tadema‟s contemporaries, including Lord Leighton. This thesis will focus on Alma-Tadema‟s two famous homes in London, Townshend House, in Regent‟s Park, and his second home at 17 Grove End Road, in the fashionable area of St. John‟s Wood. Alma-Tadema acted as his own designer by taking existing houses and completely transforming them, both spatially and decoratively. This thesis will discuss Alma-Tadema‟s eclectic use of styles, ranging from Pompeian decorations through to seventeenth-century Dutch interiors, and examine the objets d‟art in his collection as a way to highlight and reflect his artistic taste and style. Moreover, it will discuss the significance of his two purpose-built studios and their furnishings and decorations as an important element in the showcasing of the artist‟s artistic talents and sensibilities.
