Brooklyn Museum: European Art: 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)

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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)

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.

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

Collections: European Art: 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)