Tissot Prints

A selection of seven prints by artist James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1936-1902) is currently on…

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On view through April 30, 2017

A selection of seven prints by artist James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1936-1902) is currently on view in the second floor hallway.

James Tissot moved to Paris at the age of 19 to train as a painter. He quickly gained success painting for the French upper class. He met the new generation of artists, later dubbed the Impressionists, and became friends with the likes of Edgar Degas and Édouard Manet, but painted in a different, realist style. In 1871, after the end of France’s war with Germany, he moved to London, where he remained until 1882, painting society portraits, scenes of everyday life, and later also religious scenes. He also took up etching. He enjoyed significant success both critically and especially economically.

 

Both his print The Two Friends as well as his series The Prodigal Son deal with themes of travel and departure, often depicted by Tissot. It is interesting to think about these images in light of current events: whether it is Syrian refugees or Mexican immigrants, people are in ever-greater numbers leaving their homes and lands in search of a better life.

 

Les Deux Amis (The Two Friends)
James Jacques Joseph Tissot
1881
etching and drypoint, with hand-coloring (single state)
Gift of Margaret Gresham Livingston and Museum purchase