This exhibition shows how his work has influenced the film industry, from Hollywood’s founding years until the 21st century. Alma-Tadema’s portrayals of antiquity were so convincing that film directors used his paintings as blueprints for epic films such as Ben-Hur and Gladiator. In his paintings he transports viewers to everyday scenes and truly brings history to life. hollywoodĪlma-Tadema’s fascination with classical antiquity began while he was honeymooning in Rome and Pompeii. When he died in 1912, London came to a standstill for his funeral and he was interred like a celebrity in St Paul's Cathedral. He was knighted in 1899 and could call himself ‘Sir’ from then on. He formally naturalised as a British subject and Lourens became Lawrence Alma-Tadema. In England Alma-Tadema developed into one of the most important painters of his time. With its innovative approach the Fries Museum won the prestigious biennial Turing Award for the best exhibition plan. The exhibition can be seen until 7 February 2017.įrisian-born Lourens Alma Tadema studied painting in Antwerp and worked in Brussels until moving to London in 1870, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. Even today, the images that Alma-Tadema painted of Classical Antiquity still influence the directors of films such as Gladiator and Ben-Hur. This autumn 80 masterpieces will arrive in Leeuwarden from all around the world. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s (Dronryp, 1836 – Wiesbaden, 1912) paintings made him world famous, and he was especially popular in America and England. From 1 October 2016 the Fries Museum presents Alma-Tadema: Classical charm, to date the largest exhibition of his works anywhere.

Alma tadema lawrence