This is our Corner - Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

A tender, domestic portrait by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, depicting his two daughters in a quiet moment of reading at home.

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema is widely recognised for his meticulous depictions of classical antiquity, yet this work offers a rare glimpse into his domestic life. Painted in 1873, 'This is our Corner' captures his two daughters, Anna and Laurence, within the private sphere of their home. The composition is intimate and quiet, moving away from the grand historical narratives that defined much of his professional output.

The painting features one daughter standing in the foreground, clutching a book, while the other reclines on a cushioned bench in the background, absorbed in reading. The lighting is soft, drawing attention to the textures of the girls' clothing and the woven furniture. Alma-Tadema employs a muted palette, allowing the focus to remain on the relaxed postures and the gentle expressions of the children. The background contains subtle decorative elements, hinting at the artist's interest in interior design and the aesthetic movements of the late Victorian era.

Unlike his large-scale canvases depicting Roman scenes, this piece demonstrates his ability to render personal subjects with the same technical precision. The brushwork is controlled, capturing the play of light across the fabric and the striped floor covering. It provides a window into the daily habits of a family living in London during the 1870s. The work remains a fine example of the artist's versatility, showing his capacity to balance technical rigour with a tender, observational approach to his own household. The painting is a study of childhood stillness, reflecting the quiet moments of domesticity that existed alongside his more public artistic career.