A Favorite Custom

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema painted A Favourite Custom in 1909, depicting a scene in the ancient Roman baths at Pompeii. In the foreground, one woman playfully splashes another bathing in the frigidarium (cold bath). Others gather in an undressing room beyond, surrounded by luxurious marble walls and floors.

Alma-Tadema based the setting on photographs from the Stabian baths, excavated in 1824. He made the space more opulent than the actual ruins, adding marble details typically found only in larger imperial baths. The Dutch-born artist achieved enormous success in Victorian England with such carefully researched scenes of Roman daily life.

The painting was one of his final works, created when he was 73. Despite appearing old-fashioned compared to avant-garde movements of 1909, Alma-Tadema's classical subjects remained popular with collectors. A Favourite Custom hangs at Tate Britain in London, presented by the Chantrey Bequest in 1909.