The Staircase

Details

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, R.A. (1836-1912)
The Staircase
signed 'Alma Tadema' (upper right)
oil on panel
16¾ x 3¾ in. (42.5 x 10 cm).

Provenance

Society of British Artists; sale, December 1870.
J. Brightwen Esq., London.
Mrs Elizabeth Brightwen; + Christie's, London, 7 July 1906, lot 160 (£231 to Permain).
Presented by Sir Malcom R. Aird; Christie's, London, 13 April 1918, lot 876 (£210 to Sampson).
with Francois Buffa & Fils., Amsterdam.

Literature

Illustrated London News, 3 December 1870, p. 566.
Illustrated London News, 24 December 1870, p. 636.
H. Zimmern, Grands Peintres Francais et Etrangers, Paris, 1886, p. 284.
Alma-Tadema letter to Stephens, 6 July 1888.
Dr. V.G. Swanson, The Biography and Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings of Sir. Lawrence Alma-Tadema, London, 1990, p. 158.

Exhibited

London, Grosvenor Gallery, Winter Exhibition, 1882-83, no. 44. London, Royal Academy, Winter Exhibition, 1913, no. 66.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The Staircase was executed as a lottery prize to benefit the distressed French peasants in the districts occupied by the German army during the Franco-Prussian war. It was later purchased by the British contractor, Sir Malcolm Aird who was one of the largest collectors of Victorian Art in Europe.

Paintings by Leighton, Poynter, Waterhouse, Dicksee, Orchardson and Alma-Tadema hung in his house, including the latter's masterpiece Roses of Heliogabalus (sold, Christie's, London, 11 June 1993, lot 121) and The Finding of Moses (sold, Christie's, New York, 25 May 1995, lot 187), which he commissioned from the artist.

We are grateful to Dr. Vern G. Swanson, Director of the Springville Musem of Art for his help in the preparation of this catalogue entry.

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