Proclaiming Claudius Emperor, Opus XlVIII 1867

Lawrence Alma-Tadema painted Proclaiming Claudius Emperor using oils on panel, a process demanding layering and blending to achieve its seamless finish. The material realism throughout this image depends upon a complex division of labour. Consider the fabrication of Roman imperial power on display: from the intricate detail of the soldier's armor to the veined marble steps, the artist renders the scene with painstaking precision. The opulence of the setting and the attire, are indicative of the resources, and specialized labor, required to produce such splendor. But consider also the labor involved in the painting itself. The preparation of the wooden panel, grinding and mixing pigments, and the meticulous application of paint, all point to Alma-Tadema's engagement with a detailed craft-based process, reflecting a contemporary Victorian fascination with classical antiquity, and a commitment to capturing its material culture on canvas. By exploring the artwork through the lens of making, we can appreciate how its aesthetic is deeply intertwined with the processes, social relations, and value systems of its time.