Unconscious Rivals by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema - Podcast

Masterpieces are outstanding creations worthy of a place in history. They're the works of art we can't stop thinking and talking about. Art's meant to make a difference. These are pieces that continue to do so long after the artist is gone. I'm Lady K-Flo. This is where I give you my quick takes on art pieces I call the masters. Unconscious Rivals by Lawrence Alma-Tadema Cupid's off to the side in Alma-Tadema's painting, Unconscious Rivals. That's because love plays a mere supporting role in this portrait, but pay no attention to the title. It's not really about rivalry either. This painting celebrates friendship. The fantastic pink tree shows us this with its blossoms. They sprinkle the feminine wiles of whimsy, fun, and beauty into the piece. A Cupid statue leans into the painting's left side. He's relaxed, and it's clear, not at work. This painting's not about old-school romantic love. Cupid's got the day off. On the right are the feet of a prone gladiator statue. This guy's not in the picture either. He's not only absent because he's made of marble. Gladiators represent meaningless machismo. They're pool boys of the past. Gladiators played out pointless entertainment in imperial Rome. So, with this gladiator statue off to the side, we know this work speaks to something deeper. It's not about the boy toy in the background. This work ventures all the way into the unconscious. Beyond Cupid, into the conscious. The painting's about these two beautiful women. They clasp hands. It's a meaningful grip. In holding hands, they also hold the magenta blossoms. These bright blossoms symbolize their connection. That's where the brilliance of this piece lies. Their bond. Many art historians claim the painting's title, Unconscious Rivals, points to the source of their rivalry. Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema certainly hints about this in the work too. Sure, there may be a man behind these ladies. Or, it could be that an indifferent Cupid and the absentee boy toy only imply a lover for these ladies, for show. He may not be real. What is authentic though, is the connection between the women. They are certain friends holding hands. It's funny in a way, this portrait of friendship. That's because Alma Tadema loved to romanticize. He portrays these unconscious rivals through rose-colored glasses for us. The joy and beauty in this painting lies with the platonic certainty of friendship. It's the conscious truth that's present in the work. The tangible link between them lies at the heart of the painting. In fact, the way these women stand close creates a few heart shapes as well. Look at the soft folds of their gowns and the body curves that help make these forms. The hearts lie in our unconscious like the rivalry of the painting title. They're hidden, but still there. Many believe these women are in denial of their rivalry. So what if they are? That's silly gossip anyway. What matters is apparent and in the moment between them. These ladies lean toward each other. They bend into a shared heart. That's at the core of this work. So without a lover or even a man, Lawrence Alma Tadema still gives us romance. This one romanticizes buddies. It's often said that this duo in denial is waiting. Perhaps they await a lover. But even so, there's already love between them. In fact, friendship is the love that lasts forever. And it doesn't make you wait. Unconscious Rivals FAQs Is Lawrence Alma Tadema a British or a Dutch painter? Born in the Netherlands, Lawrence Alma Tadema held British denizenship as a painter. So the answer is both. That's why he's often cited as Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema. Even after death, he's in both of these countries. His paintings show in both the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Tate Britain. What kind of painting is Unconscious Rivals? Unconscious Rivals sets a primo example of Lawrence Alma Tadema's work. Its romantic tone and coloring come from a trip he took to Pompeii in 1893. In fact, he modeled the statues after photographs from Roman museums. So Unconscious Rivals exemplifies romantic painting. Why was Lawrence Alma Tadema called a marblous painter? Hard to believe, but Alma Tadema wasn't always a champion painter of marble statues. Early criticism of his renderings pierced the painter's ego. So he worked hard to perfect his marble statue portrayals. Lawrence did this with such expertise, he thus became known as a marblous painter. Unconscious Rivals shows a perfect example of this. How did Dutch Alma Tadema get special denizenship as a British painter? In 1873, Queen Victoria made Lawrence Alma Tadema and his wife the very last British denizens. That means they pretty much held the rights of British citizens, but they were not true citizens. This honor was thanks to his celebrity success as a Victorian painter. The Queen was a huge fan of his romantic style. Visit LadyKayflo.com for all the goods. That's L-A-D-Y-K-F-L-O dot com.