Lot Essay
The subject is a version of the same pose of a Greek lady listening to music in Alma Tadema's painting, Sappho, (Swanson 1990). It is similar to the upper center figure in that picture. It may be that she is a member of the sorority of Lesbos and is regaling in the memory of the poetry of her mistress.
There is a very similar oil version of this watercolour, entitled Resting or Farniente: Bacchus Rive (Swanson 1990). It, like the Sappho is also in reverse to the watercolour. Tadema usually painted watercolours after his oils, however, in this case the watercolour was finished five days before its oil version. Undoubtedly the watercolour was begun long after the oil, but took less time to complete. So although the watercolour is a later production it is numerated before Opus CCXLIV by the artist.
Since the watercolour is in reverse of the oil it might be supposed that Alma Tadema used photographic negatives to accomplish this feat. The reverse image was achieved for the purpose of aiding the engraver, whose work would eventually be printed right way around. In this case it was Auguste Blanchard who engraved the picture using Alma Tadema's watercolour to guide his printing process. In typical Tadema fashion, there were changes between the two versions. In the watercolour, the green hill in the background is more dominate, but the flower is missing in the ladies hand.
We are very grateful to Professor Vern. G. Swanson for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry
See colour illustration
There is a very similar oil version of this watercolour, entitled Resting or Farniente: Bacchus Rive (Swanson 1990). It, like the Sappho is also in reverse to the watercolour. Tadema usually painted watercolours after his oils, however, in this case the watercolour was finished five days before its oil version. Undoubtedly the watercolour was begun long after the oil, but took less time to complete. So although the watercolour is a later production it is numerated before Opus CCXLIV by the artist.
Since the watercolour is in reverse of the oil it might be supposed that Alma Tadema used photographic negatives to accomplish this feat. The reverse image was achieved for the purpose of aiding the engraver, whose work would eventually be printed right way around. In this case it was Auguste Blanchard who engraved the picture using Alma Tadema's watercolour to guide his printing process. In typical Tadema fashion, there were changes between the two versions. In the watercolour, the green hill in the background is more dominate, but the flower is missing in the ladies hand.
We are very grateful to Professor Vern. G. Swanson for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry
See colour illustration