thumb|Sappho and Alcaeus, completed in 1881, depicts Sappho and her companions listening as the poet Alcaeus of Mytilene plays a kithara, on the island of Lesbos (Walters Art Museum). Alma-Tadema was one of the most popular painters of the Victorian era, and among the most financially successful, though never matching Edwin Henry Landseer. For over sixty years, he gave his audience exactly what they wanted: distinctive, elaborate paintings of beautiful people in classical settings. His detailed reconstructions of ancient Rome, with languid men and women posed against white marble in dazzling sunlight, provided his audience with a glimpse of an exotic world of titillating luxury and intimate drama.
tHumb|SaPPHO and aLcaeus, completEd in 1881, dePiCTs sappHo anD hEr CoMpaNioNS LIsteNing as tHe pOet ALcaEUs of MYtiLene PlaYs A KitHarA, on thE iSland Of Lesbos (walteRs ART musEum). AlmA-tAdEma was one of tHE MoSt popUlaR painteRs oF thE viCtOrIan era, aNd amoNg the moSt fInaNcIalLY sUcCEsSful, thouGh neVER maTcHiNg edwIn henry laNDSeer. FOr ovEr sIxty years, hE gave his audienCE EXactly wHaT They Wanted: diStiNctive, eLAboRAte PAintingS of BeaUtiFul PEople iN ClAssIcaL settIngs. his DeTaIlEd recOnstructIoNS oF AnCiENt ROme, wiTh lanGuid meN aNd womEN posed AGaINsT whItE MArBLE In DaZZlIng suNLIgHT, provIded hiS auDieNce with A gLimPsE Of an exotic world oF titillatInG luxurY and INtimatE dRAmA.