The peculiarity of Mr. Alma-Tadema’s art has a somewhat remarkable development in this picture, in which one sees a domestic incident of modern life presented in a form that carries the mind back to the days of old Rome, or even to those of a yet far earlier date; for the manner in which the reclining child has her hair dressed is suggestive of the figures we see in ancient Egyptian paintings and sculptures, and recalls to recollection the artist’s conception of ‘Joseph, Overseer of Pharaoh’s Granaries,’ exhibited at the British Royal Academy in the late 1870’s. The picture, which appeared in the Dudley Gallery in 1873, under the title of ‘This is our Corner,’ shows a nook in the painter’s studio. The two figures introduced are children of Mr. Alma-Tadema, who are accustomed to appropriate the recess to themselves, making it their resort for study or turning over the leaves of picture-books. The picture in its entirety can only be accepted as an example of this clever artist’s idiosyncrasies and his acknowledged attention to detail.

This item is a steel engraving from the original painting by L. Alma-Tadema called “MY CHILDREN”.  It was engraved by L. Lowenstam and published in 1877.  The engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 9” x 7 ½”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.