James Tissot, The Departure, 1880
A Study Guide by Lee Magness
James Tissot (1836-1904) grew up in a seaport in southern France. He developed his artistic eye from his designer father (draperies) and mother (clothing) and his spiritual inclinations from his devout mother. At 22 he moved to Paris to study art, copying paintings in the Louvre and befriending Whistler, Degas, and Manet. In London, Tissot was in demand as a painter of fashionable ladies. Back in Paris he rediscovered his Christian roots and turned to painting Biblical scenes. A series on the life of Christ brought him fame and fortune late in life.
Use the observations and questions below to guide your encounter with one of Tissot's masterpieces.
Use the observations and questions below to guide your encounter with one of Tissot's masterpieces.
Encountering the Prodigal Son in the Art of James Tissot
Reflection
1) This painting is the first in a series of paintings on the parable of the Prodigal Son in settings contemporary to the
artist. What might be gained from re-envisioning a Biblical story in a contemporary setting?
2) Identify the scene in the parable being depicted here? Artists are usually drawn to the younger son's life in the far
country or to the reunion with the father. Why might Tissot have chosen this scene?
3) Study the father and the younger son. What can we surmise about their social status? Notice their postures and
gestures. What is suggested about their relationship?
4) Study the other two figures in the painting. Who are they? What are they thinking? How does Tissot represent
their attitudes by the way in which he paints them?
5) Study what is going on in the background of the scene, outside the window. What does this tell you about the
family and what does it foreshadow in the story?
Response
Write a short essay sharing your interpretation of the painting or write a short meditation on the meaning of the
parable as illustrated by this painting.
An Interpretation ~
As part of his series on the life of Christ Tissot painted several scenes from the parable of the Prodigal Son. “The Departure” pictures the office of a wealthy father, perhaps a trading merchant given the sailing scene out his office window. The younger son has evidently just broken the news of his plans to leave the family business. The son sits close to his father but stiffly, almost rudely on the father’s office table. Even though the father reaches out to the son, the son’s hands remain held back or clutching a book. The elegant tea service, brought in response to the son’s sudden arrival, sits untouched on the table. The mother has been sewing, but now sits, stunned by the news, frozen in place by the cool tension emanating from her younger son, staring vacantly as she tries to absorb the implications of it all. The older son stares out the office window at the harbor and the ships, one of which his younger brother may soon be taking to a far off land. Who knows what emotions swirl inside the mind of his otherwise placid pose? Is he angry, envious, disappointed for himself, for his father? Or is he strangely relieved?
All is stiff and still, the son, his mother, his older brother, the masts of the moored ships, the objects on the table and the shelves. The only thing that appears to be moving is the hands of the father, reaching, ever reaching out to the son who is about to be out of his reach. Will they ever connect, the reaching hands of the father and the reticent, withdrawn hands of the son? Perhaps another painting in the series by Tissot will supply the answer.
Reflection
1) This painting is the first in a series of paintings on the parable of the Prodigal Son in settings contemporary to the
artist. What might be gained from re-envisioning a Biblical story in a contemporary setting?
2) Identify the scene in the parable being depicted here? Artists are usually drawn to the younger son's life in the far
country or to the reunion with the father. Why might Tissot have chosen this scene?
3) Study the father and the younger son. What can we surmise about their social status? Notice their postures and
gestures. What is suggested about their relationship?
4) Study the other two figures in the painting. Who are they? What are they thinking? How does Tissot represent
their attitudes by the way in which he paints them?
5) Study what is going on in the background of the scene, outside the window. What does this tell you about the
family and what does it foreshadow in the story?
Response
Write a short essay sharing your interpretation of the painting or write a short meditation on the meaning of the
parable as illustrated by this painting.
An Interpretation ~
As part of his series on the life of Christ Tissot painted several scenes from the parable of the Prodigal Son. “The Departure” pictures the office of a wealthy father, perhaps a trading merchant given the sailing scene out his office window. The younger son has evidently just broken the news of his plans to leave the family business. The son sits close to his father but stiffly, almost rudely on the father’s office table. Even though the father reaches out to the son, the son’s hands remain held back or clutching a book. The elegant tea service, brought in response to the son’s sudden arrival, sits untouched on the table. The mother has been sewing, but now sits, stunned by the news, frozen in place by the cool tension emanating from her younger son, staring vacantly as she tries to absorb the implications of it all. The older son stares out the office window at the harbor and the ships, one of which his younger brother may soon be taking to a far off land. Who knows what emotions swirl inside the mind of his otherwise placid pose? Is he angry, envious, disappointed for himself, for his father? Or is he strangely relieved?
All is stiff and still, the son, his mother, his older brother, the masts of the moored ships, the objects on the table and the shelves. The only thing that appears to be moving is the hands of the father, reaching, ever reaching out to the son who is about to be out of his reach. Will they ever connect, the reaching hands of the father and the reticent, withdrawn hands of the son? Perhaps another painting in the series by Tissot will supply the answer.
