The Parting by James Tissot. An appreciation.
The PARTING by James Tissot
This painting is in the collection of the National Museum of Wales.
I am a member of the Friends of the Museum and we were asked to choose an item from those on display and write about it. We can no longer visit the museum in person or hold our talks about the work behind the scenes so this is a way of connecting with the artefacts on display. Many of the works of art can be viewed in the museum's online collection and The Parting is one of these.
It depicts a British soldier in his red uniform who is about to go back to his regiment and is feeling distraught about the prospect as he sits head in hands while his wife , her face anguished and serious as she contemplates being left alone , tries to comfort him with her hands on his shoulder. A second lady looks across at them with deep concern as she prepares tea at the table. The three sit in a parlour with a bay window and through the window can be seen boats rowing out to the warship at anchor. The scene is colourful and detailed. From the half gloves of the lady preparing the tea, a fruit cake which has been sliced into , or an ink well and quills , everything is shown with accuracy and precision. The wife wears white but with a black bow in her head dress almost as a sign of difficult times ahead .
Tissot was living in England at the time he painted The Parting in 1872. His work was much admired by the public but looked down on by the critics who said it was too literal. I think it succeeds because the theme is a universal one appropriate for every age. There will always be unhappy partings of lovers, family members and friends. This is especially true at this present time when we are living through a pandemic.
The painting is also known as ' Bad News' which accurately sums up the mood and meaning of the painting. It has the look of a Pre-raphaelite painting and it is contemporaneous to the work of that artistic movement.
It is a painting which I admire and which lives in my memory to be brought to mind whenever I choose.
This painting is in the collection of the National Museum of Wales.
I am a member of the Friends of the Museum and we were asked to choose an item from those on display and write about it. We can no longer visit the museum in person or hold our talks about the work behind the scenes so this is a way of connecting with the artefacts on display. Many of the works of art can be viewed in the museum's online collection and The Parting is one of these.
It depicts a British soldier in his red uniform who is about to go back to his regiment and is feeling distraught about the prospect as he sits head in hands while his wife , her face anguished and serious as she contemplates being left alone , tries to comfort him with her hands on his shoulder. A second lady looks across at them with deep concern as she prepares tea at the table. The three sit in a parlour with a bay window and through the window can be seen boats rowing out to the warship at anchor. The scene is colourful and detailed. From the half gloves of the lady preparing the tea, a fruit cake which has been sliced into , or an ink well and quills , everything is shown with accuracy and precision. The wife wears white but with a black bow in her head dress almost as a sign of difficult times ahead .
Tissot was living in England at the time he painted The Parting in 1872. His work was much admired by the public but looked down on by the critics who said it was too literal. I think it succeeds because the theme is a universal one appropriate for every age. There will always be unhappy partings of lovers, family members and friends. This is especially true at this present time when we are living through a pandemic.
The painting is also known as ' Bad News' which accurately sums up the mood and meaning of the painting. It has the look of a Pre-raphaelite painting and it is contemporaneous to the work of that artistic movement.
It is a painting which I admire and which lives in my memory to be brought to mind whenever I choose.
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