The Japanese Vase 1870

Editor: James Tissot’s “The Japanese Vase”, created around 1870 using gouache, really caught my eye. There’s something so staged about it, yet also intimate, with the woman surrounded by those lush plants. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Oh, Tissot, that rascal! I find this piece utterly charming, dripping with Japonisme, a 19th-century love affair with all things Japanese. The lady holding both the vase and a smaller container offers them to the viewer as if to invite to consider the quality, or perhaps is simply showing her refined taste and social position. It also speaks to the then-growing import/export industry, creating global artistic encounters and influencing portraiture. I see echoes of Manet in the woman's direct gaze. Do you catch those slightly mischievous undertones, that gentle hint of irony? Editor: I hadn’t considered the industry aspect; I was too focused on her expression! The goldfish also made me think about domestic space, about wealth... So, is the Japonisme element simply fashionable, or is there something deeper? Curator: Deeper indeed! Think of it as a playful rebellion against stuffy European art. It's an artist playing with cultural identity and exoticism, but, you know, maybe also poking fun at the superficiality of some of those trends. I think Tissot did the former with more intent than the latter! I feel, like, you know he did not have bad intent or make any ill considerations about his models or society! Editor: Right. That makes a lot of sense. Curator: I'm glad you think so, it does to me also... But, is what "makes sense" really makes us happy? Or viceversa? Editor: Ah, well... We are supposed to be describing paintings here. Curator: Oh my, you are so right... Where was I? What a fruitful chat, don't you think? Editor: Definitely. It’s given me a lot to think about!