Poetry 1879

"Poetry" is an 1879 painting by Lawrence Alma-Tadema. The work depicts a young woman in classical garb, seated on a marble bench in an ancient Roman setting. Her red hair cascades down her back, and she seems lost in thought, her eyes gazing off into the distance. She holds a lyre in her lap and is surrounded by objects associated with artistic inspiration. This artwork is representative of Alma-Tadema's style, known as Academicism, and is characterized by its meticulous detail and idealized depiction of ancient Roman life.