Collection

The Strike of the Lance (Le coup de lance)

James Tissot

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

To confirm that Christ was dead, one of the Roman centurions pierced his side with a spear, releasing a flow of blood and water from the body. Calling on the Fathers of the Church, Tissot sees in this incident “the image of many very touching mysteries.” Most notably, he alludes to the sacramental significance of water and blood, respectively, in the Christian rites of Baptism and the Eucharist.

Caption

James Tissot (Nantes, France, 1836–1902, Chenecey–Buillon, France). The Strike of the Lance (Le coup de lance), 1886–1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 14 3/8 x 8 3/16 in. (36.5 x 20.8 cm) Sheet: 14 3/8 x 8 3/16 in. (36.5 x 20.8 cm) Frame: 22 7/8 x 16 7/8 x 1 1/2 in. (58.1 x 42.9 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.315. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

The Strike of the Lance (Le coup de lance)

Date

1886–1894

Geography

Place made: France

Medium

Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper

Classification

Watercolor

Dimensions

Image: 14 3/8 x 8 3/16 in. (36.5 x 20.8 cm) Sheet: 14 3/8 x 8 3/16 in. (36.5 x 20.8 cm) Frame: 22 7/8 x 16 7/8 x 1 1/2 in. (58.1 x 42.9 x 3.8 cm)

Signatures

Signed bottom left: "J.J. Tissot"

Credit Line

Purchased by public subscription

Accession Number

00.159.315

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Artists and makers

James Tissot

524 works in the collection