Masters/James Tissot
The Sermon of the Beatitudes, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.124)
A wing of the gallery
James Tissot
1836–1902 · France
A fashionable painter of Paris and London who gave his last years to one enormous work: the life of Christ, scene by scene, in 350 small watercolors.
01
Society painter
Jacques Joseph Tissot was born in Nantes on October 15, 1836. His father was a drapery merchant and his mother designed hats, which may be why the clothing in his paintings is so exact. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and became, in the 1870s and 1880s, one of the most successful society painters in Paris and London.
Sources: Wikipedia, James Tissot · Brooklyn Museum, James Tissot: The Life of Christ
The Vision of Zacharias, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.13)
02
A vision at Saint-Sulpice
In 1885, while visiting the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, Tissot had a religious experience that changed his life. He set aside his fashionable subjects and began to illustrate the New Testament.
To do it, he traveled to the Middle East in 1886, 1889 and 1896, recording landscapes, buildings, clothing and customs in photographs, notes and sketches. The Brooklyn Museum says he painted his figures in costumes he believed were historically accurate, with “considerable archaeological exactitude.”
Sources: Wikipedia, James Tissot · Brooklyn Museum, James Tissot: The Life of Christ
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.87)
03
The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The result is a set of 350 small watercolors, from before Jesus’ birth through the Resurrection. Shown in Paris in 1894, they were received with great enthusiasm and later toured London and the United States. In 1900 the Brooklyn Museum bought the whole series, at John Singer Sargent’s suggestion, with money raised by public subscription.
Because he painted nearly every event, Tissot is the backbone of the Gallery Walk. This wing shows 75 of the watercolors, one or two for each moment of the walk.
Sources: Brooklyn Museum, James Tissot: The Life of Christ · Wikipedia, James Tissot
The Resurrection of Lazarus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.181)
The rooms
75 works, in the order of His life
Hung by the Gospel moment they show, across 67 rooms of the Gallery Walk.
1. An Angel in the Temple
The Vision of Zacharias, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.13)
2. Be It unto Me
The Annunciation, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.16)
3. Mary Visits Elisabeth
The Visitation, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.18)
4. Joseph's Dream
The Vision of Saint Joseph, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.22)
5. No Room in the Inn
Saint Joseph Seeks a Lodging in Bethlehem, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.23)
5. No Room in the Inn
The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.24)
6. Good Tidings of Great Joy
The Angel and the Shepherds, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.25)
6. Good Tidings of Great Joy
The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.26)
7. Simeon and Anna
The Aged Simeon, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.28)
8. We Have Seen His Star
The Magi Journeying, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.30)
8. We Have Seen His Star
The Adoration of the Magi, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.32)
9. Flight into Egypt
The Flight into Egypt, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.35)
10. Home to Nazareth
The Return from Egypt, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.37)
11. My Father's Business
Jesus Found in the Temple, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.41)
12. Prepare Ye the Way
The Voice in the Desert, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.44)
13. This Is My Beloved Son
The Baptism of Jesus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.49)
14. Forty Days in the Wilderness
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.51)
14. Forty Days in the Wilderness
Jesus Ministered to by Angels, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.54)
15. Come and See
The Calling of Saint John and Saint Andrew, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.55)
16. Water into Wine
The Marriage at Cana, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.62)
17. Nicodemus by Night
Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.64)
18. Living Water
The Woman of Samaria at the Well, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.69)
19. The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me
Jesus Unrolls the Book in the Synagogue, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.71)
19. The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me
The Brow of the Hill near Nazareth, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.72)
20. Fishers of Men
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.87)
21. The Fever Left Her
The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.76)
22. Through the Roof
The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.123)
23. Follow Me
The Calling of Saint Matthew, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.91)
24. Rise, Take Up Thy Bed
The Piscina Probatica or Pool of Bethesda, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.68)
25. He Ordained Twelve
Ordaining of the Twelve Apostles, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.98)
26. The Light of the World
The Sermon of the Beatitudes, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.124)
27. So Great Faith
Lord, I Am Not Worthy, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.112)
28. Young Man, Arise
The Resurrection of the Widow's Son at Nain, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.115)
29. Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee
The Ointment of the Magdalene, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.214)
30. Parables by the Sea
The Sower, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.119)
31. Peace, Be Still
Jesus Stilling the Tempest, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.102)
33. Be Not Afraid, Only Believe
The Daughter of Jairus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.108)
34. Five Loaves and Two Fishes
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.134)
35. Walking on the Water
Jesus Walks on the Sea, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.138)
35. Walking on the Water
Saint Peter Walks on the Sea, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.140)
36. The Words of Eternal Life
You Follow Me for the Miracles, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.141)
37. Thou Art the Christ
The Primacy of Saint Peter, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.148)
38. Hear Ye Him
The Transfiguration, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.145)
39. Help Thou Mine Unbelief
Le possédé au pied du Thabor, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.146)
40. The Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.175)
41. That Good Part
Jesus Mary Magdalene and Martha at Bethany, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.162)
42. Once Blind, Now I See
The Blind Man Washes in the Pool of Siloam, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.173)
43. The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.106)
44. Lost and Found
The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.185)
45. Lazarus, Come Forth
The Resurrection of Lazarus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.181)
46. Where Are the Nine?
The Healing of Ten Lepers, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.161)
47. Suffer the Little Children
Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.188)
48. Blind Bartimaeus
The Two Blind Men at Jericho, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.190)
49. Zacchaeus, Make Haste
Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.189)
50. Spikenard
Mary Magdalene at the Feet of Jesus, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.164)
51. Hosanna
The Procession on the Mount of Olives, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.192)
52. A House of Prayer
The Merchants Chased from the Temple, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.198)
53. The Widow's Mites
The Widow's Mite, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.211)
54. The Ten Virgins
The Wise Virgins, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.179)
54. The Ten Virgins
The Foolish Virgins, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.180)
55. In Remembrance of Me
The Communion of the Apostles, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.223)
56. He Washed Their Feet
The Washing of the Feet, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.222)
57. Love One Another
The Last Sermon of Our Lord, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.225)
58. Not My Will, but Thine
The Grotto of the Agony, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.231)
59. Put Up Thy Sword
The Kiss of Judas, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.234)
60. Before the Cock Crow
The Third Denial of Peter. Jesus' Look of Reproach, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.249)
62. It Is Finished
What Our Lord Saw from the Cross, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.299)
62. It Is Finished
It Is Finished, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.304)
63. Laid in a New Tomb
Jesus Carried to the Tomb, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.324)
64. He Is Risen
The Angel Seated on the Stone of the Tomb, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.330)
65. I Have Seen the Lord
Touch Me Not, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.335)
66. The Road to Emmaus
The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.338)
67. My Lord and My God
The Disbelief of Saint Thomas, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.341)
68. Lovest Thou Me?
Feed My Lambs, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.347)
69. Ye Shall Be Witnesses
The Ascension, 1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum, purchased by public subscription (00.159.348)
See the originals
Where the works are
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn, New York
The complete Life of Christ watercolors, purchased in 1900. Source: Brooklyn Museum, James Tissot: The Life of Christ.
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