1836 -1902 · Nantes, Paris, London and the Holy Land

Sumptuous fabrics, worldly elegance, garden scenes and vast biblical cycles make James Tissot a virtuoso observer of modern society who became a visionary painter of sacred narrative.

Jacques Joseph Tissot was born in Nantes in 1836 into a family of fashion merchants and adopted the first name James very early on out of admiration for English culture. Arriving in Paris in 1856, he studied at the École des beaux-arts with Louis Lamothe and Hippolyte Flandrin, then began at the Salon in 1859. After historical subjects, he turned to contemporary life. His precise look at clothing, accessories and attitudes allowed him to convey both luxury and social codes. The Cercle de la rue Royale, painted in 1866, brought together twelve members of an aristocratic club on the balcony of the Coislin hotel. Each silhouette remains individualized, while costumes, furniture, dog and view of Paris composes a brilliant chronicle of the Second Empire. After the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, Tissot left for London in 1871. He enjoyed rapid success there with scenes from Victorian society: gardens, piers, croquet games and elegant interiors often conceal expectation, jealousy or unease under their perfection material. Kathleen Newton, his companion and his main model, gave these works a particular intimacy. His death in 1882 pushed Tissot to return to France. From 1882, his partner and his main model, gave these works a particular intimacy. His death in 1882 pushed Tissot to return to France. From 1882, his partner and his main model gave these works a particular intimacy. His death in 1882 pushed Tissot to return to France. From 1882, his companion and his main model gave these works a particular intimacy. His death in 1882 pushed Tissot to return to France. From 1885, a spiritual experience disrupted his career. He traveled several times to the Middle East to study landscapes, architecture, costumes and uses, then produced vast series of watercolors devoted to the Life of Christ and the Old Testament. These images, distributed by the edition, met a huge audience. Painter, engraver, enameler and illustrator, Tissot died in 1902 on Buillon's family property. His work thus unites the social acuity of the modern world with an exceptional narrative and spiritual ambition. The "James Tissot" selection notably compares Le Cercle de la rue Royale and Croquet. His reading favors figures.

Tissot paints elegance as a social language: a hat, a distance or a look are enough to reveal what the social scene does not say.