Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Blue Plaque

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema transformed this address into a sprawling Italianate mansion to match the subject of his paintings, which focused on the luxury and decadence of ancient Rome. He purchased the property in 1883 from fellow painter James Tissot and spent two years overseeing a massive reconstruction that left almost nothing of the original building standing. The center of his design was a custom three-story studio capped with a semi-circular aluminum dome, which he believed provided the perfect light for his highly detailed, photorealistic canvases. By creating this immersive environment, he aimed to surround himself with enough color and form to ensure he always felt inspired to work.