G. Vern Swanson - The Biography and Catalogue Raisonne of the Paintings of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema - 1990

The Biography and Catalogue Raisonne of the Paintings of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Published by Scolar Pr (1990), G. Vern Swanson, Deluxe Edition hardcover, in hard case, 35,5 x 25 x 5 cm. Limited to 750 copies, 511 pages, illustrated in black and white and colour images, ISBN 10 0-906030-22-6, ISBN 13 9780906030226

Weight: 3.600 gr

The life and work of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema is presented in a fittingly high-quality publication written by the world’s leading authority on the artist, Vern Swanson. The well-illustrated biography takes us chronologically through the artist’s life, which started in a hamlet outside Leeuwarden, Friesland, North Holland and culminated in his being awarded the Order of Merit. He was buried in St Paul’s cathedral.

Alma-Tadema led a varied and interesting life in high Victorian society. His friends included Tchaikovsky, Whistler, Sargent, Burne-Jones and Khnopff. His talents were prodigious. Not only was he one of the pre-eminent painters of the day but his activities also extended into architecture, furniture and theatre. He was as willingly influenced by the new wave of Japonism as by archaeological discoveries of the period. His style continued to develop throughout his career. In the later paintings one sees more than a hint of symbolism affecting his work.

Such was his impact on the culture of his day that even cigars and women’s clothing were named after him. His painting is as controversial now as it was in his lifetime. It was berated for its risqué Edwardian humour and for depicting Victorians in togas, yet it influenced film-makers for at least a generation after his death.

The catalogue deals with all Tadema’s known oil paintings in chronological order. Each item is listed under its main title with other titles which have been used, details of the Opus number where applicable and date, medium, size and signature. This is followed by detailed information about provenance, previous exhibitions and any previous published references. Finally, notes on the subject matter and sources used for the work are included together with any relevant anecdote or criticism the painting has inspired.

The captioned illustrations follow this Lawrence Alma-Tadema Catalogue Raisonné which also includes concordance, index, bibliography, a full colour slipcase, maroon gold-blocked buckram and a top edge gilt.