Image: Alma-Tadema The Education of the Children of Clovis

Description: L'éducation des enfants de Clovis Education of the Children of Clovis (opus XIV) is Alma-Tadema's most accomplished composition of Merovingian history, and "first laid the foundation of his fame" (Ebers, p. 23). Between 1855 and 1860, after completing study at the Antwerp Academy, the young Alma-Tadema was mostly occupied with painting subjects from the history of the Netherlands and Belgium focusing on episodes of war and conquest from the sixteenth century. By the early 1860s, the artist had shifted his focus to Merovingian Gaul from the early fifth to mid-eighth centuries. Alma-Tadema's choice of subject was influenced by his apprenticeship with Louis De Taeye (1822-1890), less known for his history paintings than as Professor of Archeology at the Antwerp Academy, where he taught courses on history and historical costume. De Taye stressed the importance of archeological accuracy and in consulting primary sources and respected histories. After leaving De Taye's studio, Alma-Tadema secured a more prestigious placement with Baron Henri Leys (1815-69), considered one of the most important painters in Belgium. Leys was notable for his sixteenth and seventeenth century Romantic-Historical scenes from local history, painted with well-studied period detail but with an archaic style, suggesting the influence of the German Old Masters and Nazarenes (Barrow pp. 14-5; Julian Treuherz, "Introduction to Alma-Tadema," Becker et al., eds., Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1997, p. 13). Education of the Children of Clovis was the first major work completed under Leys' direction, and in his careful research and interpretation of the subject, Alma-Tadema grew from student to accomplished artist... read more here
Title: Education of the Children of Clovis (or School of Vengeance, or Training of Clotilde's Sons)
Credit: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/19th-century-european-art-n08783/lot.64.html
Author: Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No