Acclaimed Victorian artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836 – 1912) was born in Holland, lived in London and was known for highly detailed, idealistic scenes of ancient Greece and Rome. Alma-Tadema’s 400 paintings were filled with striking figures, architectural precision and realistically textured marble, metals and silks. His popularity faded when the Victorian era ended, but his work made a comeback in the 20th century, influencing set design in blockbusters such as “Ben Hur” and “The Ten Commandments.”