The Deluge 1902

James Tissot made "The Deluge" with watercolor and gouache, and the way he lays down these washes of color makes me think about the messy, unpredictable process of artmaking. The colors are muted, mostly greys, browns, and fleshy pinks, which gives the whole scene a kind of somber, washed-out feeling. Look closely at the way Tissot layers the paint, especially in the swirling water and rain. It's thin and transparent in some areas, allowing the paper to show through, and thicker and more opaque in others, creating a sense of depth and movement. You can almost feel the relentless rain and the churning water. Now, focus on the figures huddled together, clinging to each other for dear life, that one man with his arm raised to the sky. You can see a similar composition and color palette in Gericault’s “Raft of the Medusa,” though Tissot creates something much more intimate. Ultimately, Tissot reminds us that art isn't just about depicting a scene, it's about capturing an emotional experience.