In his Spring painting (1894), Lawrence Alma-Tadema represented the Victorian custom of sending children to collect flowers on May Day. By placing the scene in ancient Rome, he suggested the festival’s great antiquity through architectural details, dress, sculpture and musical instruments based on Roman originals.

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912) was a Dutch painter of classical subjects who became famous for his depictions of the luxury and decadence of the Roman Empire.

4cm x 18.5cm