Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912) née Laurens Tadema was a 19th Century Dutch painter. His depiction of luxury and decadence during the Roman Empire made him the most famous and highly paid artist in the Victorian Era. Alma-Tadema imbued his scenes with human interest, bringing the scope of modern feeling to ancient life with playfulness and mischief. His realistic depiction of flowers, textures, and hard reflecting substances like marble, earned him the title of 'marbellous painter'.