The opulence of ancient Rome and Greece is brought into the present on our Spring cover design.
Reproducing a detail from Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s painting Spring (1894), this design is the second release in our collaborative partnership with the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912) was a Dutch painter of classical subjects who became famous for his depictions of the luxury and decadence of the Roman Empire.
His Spring painting showcases the Victorian custom of sending children to collect flowers on the morning of May 1, or May Day. By placing the scene in ancient Rome, he suggested the festival’s great antiquity through architectural details, dress, sculpture, and musical instruments based on Roman originals.
One of the most popular Victorian painters, Alma-Tadema had an insatiable curiosity about the ancient world, and he incorporated his knowledge into over 300 paintings of ancient archaeological and architectural design.
In later years, his large panoramic depictions of Greek and Roman life caught the attention of Hollywood! Certain scenes in Cecil B. DeMille’s film Cleopatra (1934) were inspired by this painting.
Ideal for bringing a touch of Classical antiquity into your everyday life, Spring is available as a hardcover journal, jigsaw puzzle, canvas bag, pencil case, and bookmark.
