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...