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James J. Tissot
Christmas: Birth and Childhood of Jesus


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James J. Tissot, The Youth of Jesus
James J. Tissot, "The Youth of Jesus"(1886-94), opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 22.4 x 14.1 cm, Brooklyn Museum. Larger image.
James J. Tissot (French painter and illustrator, 1836-1902) was a well-known French impressionist painter, who in his later years travelled twice to the Holy Land in order to produced a series of 700 accurate watercolor drawings to illustrate the Old and New Testaments — especially the life of Christ. I hope you enjoy Tissot's exquisite work as much as I have.

Incidentally, the Brooklyn Museum, that has nearly all of the "Life of Christ" collection is having a special exhibition: "James Tissot: Life of Christ," October 23, 2009 - January 17, 2010. I wish I could get there to see it. — Pastor Ralph

James J. Tissot Watercolors of the Birth and Childhood of Christ

Numbering is from the catalog of paintings of "The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ" shown at the Art Institute of Chicago, Jan 26-Feb 23, 1899). That catalog started this section with Frontispiece. "Behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice." (Song of Solomon 2:9). Nearly all these were painted in opaque watercolor (gouache) on over graphite on gray wove paper, about 9 x 6 inches, more or less.


James J. Tissot, "The Annunciation" (1886–94), opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper (17 x 21.7 cm), Brooklyn Museum. Larger image.
  1. Zacharias and Elisabeth
  2. The Vision of Zacharias
  3. The legend of the tests which the suitors of the Holy Virgin had to undergo
  4. Betrothal of the Holy Virgin and St. Joseph
  5. The Annunciation
  6. The Holy Virgin in Her Youth
  7. The Visitation
  8. The Magnificat
  9. The Fears of St. Joseph
  10. St. Joseph
  11. Vision of St. Joseph
  12. St. Joseph Seeks a Lodging in Bethlehem
  13. Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
  14. The Angel and the Shepherds
  15. The Adoration of the Shepherds
  16. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

    17. James J. Tissot, "The Anxiety of Saint Joseph (1886-94), opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 16 x 19.8 cm, Brooklyn Museum. Larger image.
  17. Simeon
  18. St. Anne
  19. The Wise Men (Magi) Journeying to Bethlehem (see below for oil version)
  20. The Wise Men (Magi) and Herod
  21. Adoration of the Wise Men (Magi)
  22. Massacre of the Innocents
  23. St. John the Baptist as a Child in the Desert
  24. The Flight into Egypt
  25. The Sojourn in Egypt
  26. The Return from Egypt
  27. Jesus and His Mother at the Fountain
  28. Jesus Left Behind at Jerusalem
  29. Jesus Sitting in the Midst of the Doctors
  30. Jesus Found in the Temple
  31. The Youth of Jesus

Christian Art and Paintings: Abraham Art | Agnus Dei Art | Angel Art | Annunciation Art | Celtic Stone Cross Art | Christian Symbols and Art | Christmas Art | David |  Easter Art | Elijah | Passion of Christ by Tissot | Gideon | Hebrew-Jewish Art | Holy Week Art | Jacob | Jesus' Ministry Art | Jesus' Teaching Art | Jesus Portraits and Art | John the Baptist | John the Apostle | Lamb of God Art | Last Supper Art | Madonna & Child Art | Moses and the Exodus | Names of God Art | OT Misc Art | Psalms Art | Palm Sunday Art | Paul Art and Paintings | Day of Pentecost Art | Peter Art and Paintings | Prayer Art | Resurrection Art | Revelation Art | Solomon |Thanksgiving and Pilgrims Art | Timothy Art and Paintings
Copyright of artwork. Much, but not all, of the artwork linked to on this site is in the public domain worldwide due to the date of death of its author (if it is was published outside of the U.S. and the author has been dead for over 70 years), or due to its date of publication (if it was first made public in the U.S. before 1923), at least in the United States (see Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.), in Germany, and in many other countries.

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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