"Unconscious Rivals" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Born on January 8, 1836 Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born in Dronrijp, the Netherlands, and later was trained in the classical style of realism at the Academy of Antwerp, in Belgium. He became most well known for his rich depictions of Roman Era classical antiquity with figures set in lavishly marbled interiors and backdrops of the deep blue Mediterranean sea and sky.
"Unconscious Rivals" was painted in 1893 and can currently be seen at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. Interestingly, in 1883 Sir Lawrence had taken his seccond trip to Pompeii, spending a significant amount of time studying the site even visiting daily, which gave him many ideas and ample subject matter for his paintings. Notably, in "Unconscious Rivals" the entire domed ceiling is covered in a grottesca style decoration that Pompeii is best known for.
This is one of my favorite paintings of all time, both because of the addition of grottesca decoration, and for the decadent colors and whimsical figures that grace the panorama.
"Charging Bull" contemporary figurative mosaic by 
