Bird's-Eye View of the Forum: Jesus Hears His Death Sentence (Le Forum "vu à vol d'oiseau." Jésus entend sa condamnation à mort)
- Portfolio/Series:
The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ) - Artist: James Tissot, French, 1836-1902
- Medium: Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
- Place Made: France
- Dates: 1886-1894
- Dimensions: Image: 6 15/16 x 11 9/16 in. (17.6 x 29.4 cm) Sheet: 6 15/16 x 11 9/16 in. (17.6 x 29.4 cm)
- Signature: Signed bottom center: "J.J. Tissot"
- Collections: European Art
- Museum Location:
This item is on view in Robert E. Blum Gallery, 1st Floor - Accession Number: 00.159.274
- Credit Line: Purchased by public subscription
- Image: Overall, 00.159.274_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
Throughout the series, Tissot adopted compositional strategies that permit—and indeed, force—the viewer into the action of the narrative as a participant. In a significant departure from this practice, however, Tissot here presents an expansive view from above the public forum where Jesus hears his death sentence. Although the figures are minute, the red-cloaked Jesus, flanked on either side by the thieves condemned to die with him, can be clearly discerned standing before Pilate, who sits surrounded by the priests in a bright white semicircular colonnade, or hemicycle.
To the left of this, the marble column still bears the traces of the flagellation. At center, the Roman soldiers prepare the cross to be borne by Jesus, while a large crowd assembles to hear the sentence.
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Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum