1898_Plague_of_Locusts_Tissot.txt

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James Tissot 1836 – 1902
The Plague of Locusts

gouache (214 × 124 cm) — c. 1898

This work is linked to Exodus 10:13

The Egyptian farao refused to let Moses and his people leave Egypt. God therefore let Moses punish Egypt with a series of plagues, including this one. Moses (holding his stick) and his brother Aaron call the winds to blow the locusts in their direction.

Dramatically this is not one of Tissot's stronger works. The two figures lack emotion as we can't see their faces. The detailed buildings show that Tissot had made a study of Middle Eastern architecture.

James Tissot biography

James Tissot

1836 - 1902

French painter and graphic artist, born in Nantes as Joseph-Jacques Tissot. After a period of portraying historical costumes he dedicates himself to depicting everyday life in 1864. For his portraits he develops a taste for sophisticated women and in particular their clothes.

In 1871 Tissot leaves for London where he pursues his career to great success. After the death of his mistress in 1882 he returns to France where he dedicates himself to religious tableaux, beginning in 1888 and for which he undertakes two journeys to the Promised Land (in 1886-87 and in 1889).

Both his costume pieces and his religious work are popular, although critics at the time deem the oriental atmosphere of his religious work too little evangelical.