Collections: European Art: The Betrothal of the Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph (Fiançailles de la sainte vierge et de saint Joseph)

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The Betrothal of the Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph (Fiançailles de la sainte vierge et de saint Joseph)

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

Although Luke devotes just two verses to the betrothal of Mary and Joseph, their formal promise of future marriage, Tissot inventively elaborates on the event, calling on his extensive research into ancient Jewish ritual.

Before a sea of onlookers, Joseph, with staff still in hand, and Mary stand with heads bowed beneath a painted canopy held aloft by attendants who grasp lushly garlanded poles. Tissot crams this tiny work with a multitude of details, from the patterned robes of Mary and Joseph to the petal-strewn carpet beneath their feet.


• Artist: James Tissot, French, 1836-1902
• Medium: Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
• Place Made: France
• Dates: 1886-1894
• Dimensions: Image: 6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (16.8 x 11.4 cm) Sheet: 6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (16.8 x 11.4 cm)
• Signature: Signed bottom left: "J.J. Tissot"
• Collections: European Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Robert E. Blum Gallery, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 00.159.15
• Credit Line: Purchased by public subscription
• Image: Overall, 00.159.15_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Betrothal of the Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph (Fiançailles de la sainte vierge et de saint Joseph), 1886-1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (16.8 x 11.4 cm) Sheet: 6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (16.8 x 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.15 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.15_PS2.jpg)