Jacob Mourns His Son Joseph 1902

James Tissot made this watercolour called 'Jacob Mourns His Son Joseph' sometime in the late nineteenth century. Tissot’s got this amazing handle on watercolour, using thin washes that build up these incredibly subtle tonal variations. You can really see the hand of the artist in the way the pigment settles on the page, pools in places, and creates these soft edges. It's all about the process. The muted palette of creams, browns, and yellows creates a somber mood, reflecting the weight of Jacob's grief. I’m really drawn to the area around Jacob’s hands, see how they’re covering his face? The way Tissot renders the folds of the fabric and the tension in Jacob’s posture just conveys so much emotion. It’s this perfect storm of technical skill and emotional depth that makes it so powerful. Thinking about process, and the way Tissot layers these washes, makes me think of someone like Turner. The same interest in capturing light and atmosphere, the way the artist's hand and materials can express emotional states. It’s like this ongoing conversation that stretches across time and connects artists through shared concerns.