Brooklyn Museum: European Art: The Holy Virgin Kisses the Face of Jesus Before He is Enshrouded on the Anointing Stone (La Sainte Vierge baise la face de Jésus avant qu'il ne soit enveloppé par les suaires sur la pierre de l'onction)

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The Holy Virgin Kisses the Face of Jesus Before He is Enshrouded on the Anointing Stone (La Sainte Vierge baise la face de Jésus avant qu'il ne soit enveloppé par les suaires sur la pierre de l'onction)

Portfolio/Series: The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ)

In his text, Tissot describes the slow, careful manner with which the Virgin, attended by other holy women, washed and dried her son’s wounds before the procession accompanied the body to the stone of anointing.

In this image, the body has been wrapped, according to Jewish custom, with linen bands before being placed in a series of shrouds, the last hiding the face. Before covering his visage, the Virgin gives her son a final kiss.

Unlike the images in the Passion, in which Mary sometimes gesticulates wildly, here she performs her duties quietly, indicating a calm acceptance of God’s will.

Artist: James Tissot, French, 1836-1902
Medium: Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Place Made: France
Dates: 1886-1894
Dimensions: Image: 9 13/16 x 14 7/8 in. (24.9 x 37.8 cm) Sheet: 9 13/16 x 14 7/8 in. (24.9 x 37.8 cm)
Signature: Signed bottom right: "J.J. Tissot"
Collections: European Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Robert E. Blum Gallery, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 00.159.323
Credit Line: Purchased by public subscription
Image: Overall, 00.159.323_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008