Always Welcome
In her private life and her art, Laura Alma-Tadema loved everything Dutch including furniture and 17th century dress. The painting Always Welcome is a 17th century Dutch interior where the child is with her invalid mother. Light, colour and beautiful texture are at the heart of this work. The simplicity of the bond is in contrast to the rich setting.
This painting was a favourite of Merton’s. He particularly loved the tender holding of hands. He bought the painting in 1893, sold it and bought it back again! This painting was considered to be one of Laura’s finest and was loaned by Merton for Laura’s memorial exhibition in 1910.
Laura Epps was born to a London doctor. She met the Dutch artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema when aged 17 years and he was 33. He taught her to paint & they married in 1871. Lawrence enjoyed great success as an artist and Laura was also an excellent painter. She exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1873 and was included in the 1878 Paris International Exhibition as one of only two women. She also exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery. She won a gold medal at the 1876 International Art Exhibition in Berlin and one of her paintings was acquired for the Imperial Collection.
