In My Studio (1893). Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (Dutch,1836-1912). Oil on canvas.Without the title, vi
In My Studio (1893). Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (Dutch,1836-1912). Oil on canvas.Without the title, viewers might interpret the painting as one of the artist’s well-known scenes of everyday life in classical antiquity, although they would soon start to wonder about some of the details—particularly the sumptuous textile that occupies centre stage, a rose-red velvet cloth from India, perhaps part of the trappings for a ceremonial elephant, with extravagant borders embroidered in silver and gold. In one sense, the title clears up the mystery: everything we see in the painting is plausible decoration for a London artist’s studio at the end of the 19th century. The artist is letting us know that he is successful enough to afford luxuries from around the world and across history—not only Indian textiles but also Chinese paintings, Byzantine glassware, and Mexican onyx in the elaborate, Roman-style window. At the same time, though, he is introducing viewers to the fantasy world, or dreamland, within which his paintings are imagined. The female figure in classical drapery can easily be explained as one of Alma-Tadema’s models, pausing from her labours to enjoy the scent of the roses in the glass vase. -- source link
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