Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Dutch by birth, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema initially specialized in Merovingian and Egyptian scenes, but after visiting Pompeii in 1863 he turned to archaeologically exact genre paintings of classical Greece and Rome. Alma-Tadema moved to London in 1870 after his wife's death, and soon became a British citizen. His paintings are marked by clarity of color, exactness, and smooth finish; he imagined a Rome of splendor, sunlight, and gentle sentiment. Alma-Tadema inspired many followers and imitators, including Hollywood, which has consistently reproduced his vision of the ancient world on film. Comment on works: "History"

From http://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500008100, accessed 2/15/2022