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James Tissot: The Life of Christ
James Tissot The Life of Christ by Merrell,2009, Hardcover
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2019
This book holds all the painting Tissot made for his series of Christ's life (350 watercolors). A 10-year project, he visited the actual places on at least two trip, and made several drawing of places and people to use when painting back home. Tissot had had a vision during a mass that inspired him to do this, though have to say he slipped a bit, later, with his dabbling in spiritualism. He did some other religious paintings too, outside this series, for example a good four-part series on modernised Prodigal Son story (which is shown also in this book).
270 of these were exhibited at 1894 Paris exhibition, and all toured many places in USA also. Later they were used to illustrate a luxurious, abridged print of the Gospels stories, with Tissot's commentaries, both in French and English. This Bible was a bestseller.
Some of the paintings are very well done, some are a bit clumsy IMO, but as a whole are very much worth seeing. Included are three writings on the subject, before the main part of paintings: on artist and his work on them, on the Brooklyn Museum and their project of getting the paintings, and the set's importance in the changing times of American culture (incl. the question of Jesus' levels of manliness and Jewishness).
Jesus is dressed in a way that makes him stand out in pictures, but I think that makes things work well, especially when the scenes are crowded (like in entering Jerusalem on a colt). Mary Magdalene is shown in the tradition of 'former prostitute' (which is not what the Bible says she was), and as the Mary who was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Some scenes are from outside-Bible sources (like Veronica's veil), but they add something to the story.
Paintings are sorted into groups, each with it's own introduction reviewing Tissot's intentions for the pictures, and some analyzing of the significances of compositional decisions. Each painting has a title, a Bible passage (if available) that mentions the scene, time of painting it, and the real size of the picture.
My favorites that I consider to have been done particularly well:
The Annunciation, The Magnificat, The lost drachma, Domine Non Sum Dignus: Lord I am not worthy, The Pharisee & the publican, The widow's mite, Our Lord Jesus Christ, What Our Lord saw from the Cross - it's rare to see the point of view elsewhere, The confession of the centurion, The Holy Virgin kisses the face of Jesus before he is enshrined on the anointing stone.
Tissot managed to do about 95 paintings on the Old Testament before his death, but when talking about his religious paintings, this series is the best remembered. I was glad to buy this one particular, a book made for the 2009-2010 exhibtion at the Brooklyn Museum; good one in size and pictures are well-displayed.
One could use this book for daily reflection, I realized as I finished this. The writings before the pictures opened up the story of making and getting the paintings really well, as well as something of the mood of American religious life around that time. The paintings took me there, into that New Testament time, no matter what small inaccuracies someone who knows more might find. A beautiful experience.
270 of these were exhibited at 1894 Paris exhibition, and all toured many places in USA also. Later they were used to illustrate a luxurious, abridged print of the Gospels stories, with Tissot's commentaries, both in French and English. This Bible was a bestseller.
Some of the paintings are very well done, some are a bit clumsy IMO, but as a whole are very much worth seeing. Included are three writings on the subject, before the main part of paintings: on artist and his work on them, on the Brooklyn Museum and their project of getting the paintings, and the set's importance in the changing times of American culture (incl. the question of Jesus' levels of manliness and Jewishness).
Jesus is dressed in a way that makes him stand out in pictures, but I think that makes things work well, especially when the scenes are crowded (like in entering Jerusalem on a colt). Mary Magdalene is shown in the tradition of 'former prostitute' (which is not what the Bible says she was), and as the Mary who was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Some scenes are from outside-Bible sources (like Veronica's veil), but they add something to the story.
Paintings are sorted into groups, each with it's own introduction reviewing Tissot's intentions for the pictures, and some analyzing of the significances of compositional decisions. Each painting has a title, a Bible passage (if available) that mentions the scene, time of painting it, and the real size of the picture.
My favorites that I consider to have been done particularly well:
The Annunciation, The Magnificat, The lost drachma, Domine Non Sum Dignus: Lord I am not worthy, The Pharisee & the publican, The widow's mite, Our Lord Jesus Christ, What Our Lord saw from the Cross - it's rare to see the point of view elsewhere, The confession of the centurion, The Holy Virgin kisses the face of Jesus before he is enshrined on the anointing stone.
Tissot managed to do about 95 paintings on the Old Testament before his death, but when talking about his religious paintings, this series is the best remembered. I was glad to buy this one particular, a book made for the 2009-2010 exhibtion at the Brooklyn Museum; good one in size and pictures are well-displayed.
One could use this book for daily reflection, I realized as I finished this. The writings before the pictures opened up the story of making and getting the paintings really well, as well as something of the mood of American religious life around that time. The paintings took me there, into that New Testament time, no matter what small inaccuracies someone who knows more might find. A beautiful experience.
November 21, 2022
Okay, so you don't buy a book like this for the text (or at least I don't), you buy it for the gorgeous big pictures that populate every page.
This book is like holding an exhibit in your hands. It's laid out beautifully and the quality of the reproductions is top-notch.
What's amazing for me about the content of this book is that it's like a visual meditation. Tissot's paintings are beautiful, but they are also the work of a man of faith who has taken the trouble to get historical detail right. So, yes, this is imaginative work (and maybe it's unlikely that Jesus was a strawberry blonde), but it invites viewers to contemplate the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of the Messiah in a new and powerful way.
One of the most unique and moving depictions of the crucifixion is Tissot's "What Our Lord Saw from the Cross."
I've bought this for myself as well as copies as gifts for others. Love, love, love it.
Bottom line: Highly recommended.
This book is like holding an exhibit in your hands. It's laid out beautifully and the quality of the reproductions is top-notch.
What's amazing for me about the content of this book is that it's like a visual meditation. Tissot's paintings are beautiful, but they are also the work of a man of faith who has taken the trouble to get historical detail right. So, yes, this is imaginative work (and maybe it's unlikely that Jesus was a strawberry blonde), but it invites viewers to contemplate the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of the Messiah in a new and powerful way.
One of the most unique and moving depictions of the crucifixion is Tissot's "What Our Lord Saw from the Cross."
I've bought this for myself as well as copies as gifts for others. Love, love, love it.
Bottom line: Highly recommended.
January 16, 2023
I have an original copyright 1871 and they are heavy. I have had them for over a decade. I don’t remember how or who gave them to me. But, the books are part 1 and 2 I have pictures of these Bible from 1871. How do I post pictures of my books? Trying to sell them. Or give them to a museum. The paper is tissue they are packed in a box and they have been hurt but all the pages are intact.
January 5, 2016
When James Tissot was in Paris painting society ladies he stopped into a church where he had a powerful conversion experience. The result was his determination to illustrate the gospels. His research included traveling to the Holy Land to observe people, clothing, places, and customs.
The resulting paintings inspired many who saw them and did no less for me. I really liked the idea that Mary's robe in the Magnificat painting reflected those of actual women in the Middle East. The commentary in this book is interesting but for me the real treasure is the art itself. It is something that I will come back to as we travel through the liturgical year, helping me contemplate the face of Christ.
The resulting paintings inspired many who saw them and did no less for me. I really liked the idea that Mary's robe in the Magnificat painting reflected those of actual women in the Middle East. The commentary in this book is interesting but for me the real treasure is the art itself. It is something that I will come back to as we travel through the liturgical year, helping me contemplate the face of Christ.
May 16, 2016
Excellent book for detailing specific instances in the Life of Christ. Many artists have particular art that is more beautiful, but this book is the most thorough that I have seen. Any collector of "Life of Christ" material needs this book. As I read and re-read sections I am constantly becoming aware of new insights and gaining more information. I am so sorry that I didn't know about this material when I had the opportunity to see Tissot's art in the Brooklyn Museum when we lived in that area of the country! To find a used copy from Better World was a real plus!!!
April 20, 2014
A wonderful Easter journey.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews