Festivities in Honour of David c. 1896 - 1902

James Tissot created this watercolour evoking a scene from the Old Testament, entitled Festivities in Honour of David. Made in the late 19th century, it represents the biblical King David surrounded by celebrants, most notably women playing tambourines and holding palm fronds. Tissot was a French painter who, later in life, became deeply religious and devoted much of his output to biblical scenes. He travelled to the Middle East to study the landscapes, architecture, customs, and costumes of the region. The image itself, of course, is made through codes, historical associations and cultural references. In 19th-century Europe, there was an increasing interest in the Ancient Near East as archaeological discoveries in Egypt and Mesopotamia made their way into the popular imagination. Biblical paintings such as this one allowed artists to comment on contemporary social structures. While seemingly conservative, this painting invites viewers to think about religion, gender, and power. Careful archival research into the collections of museums and libraries, combined with studies of the relevant social and intellectual history, helps us to understand how an artwork like this challenges the traditional canon of Western art.