In 1885, having achieved success painting fashionable society in London and Paris, French painter James Tissot (1836-1902) experienced a religious vision that led to both a renewal of his beliefs and a dramatic shift in his artistic focus. Over the next 10 years Tissot devoted himself to a project to illustrate the New Testament. The result was The Life of Christ, a monumental series of 350 watercolours combining fantastic imagery with minute archaeological observation and vivid realism. James Tissot: The Life of Christ is the first comprehensive exploration of this extraordinary body of work. Featuring three incisive essays and an informative commentary on the paintings, this beautifully illustrated book examines the conception, creation and history of The Life of Christ as well as the cultural context in which it emerged. AUTHOR: Judith F. Dolkart is Associate Curator, European Art, at the Brooklyn Museum, New York. David Morgan is Professor of Religion at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Amy Sitar is a PhD student in the Department of Religion at Princeton University, New Jersey. SELLING POINTS: ? The first in-depth exploration of the complete Life of Christ series and its place within Tissot's career ? Includes all 350 watercolours in the series, making it an essential guide for both Tissot's admirers and audiences new to the artist ? Accompanies a major exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, New York ILLUSTRATIONS: 410 colour
