Gleaners, as in Deuteronomy 

James Tissot made this painting, Gleaners, as in Deuteronomy, using oil on canvas. This was a standard choice of materials in its time, but still worth noting, as it carries the weight of fine art tradition. The appearance of the artwork is highly influenced by this, with the inherent qualities of oil paint shining through: its smooth texture, deep color saturation, and capacity for blending. Looking closely, you can see how Tissot applied the paint in thin layers. The painting also depicts the women manually gleaning the field. This references the amount of work involved in manual agriculture and the labor it takes to harvest crops. The title points to a biblical idea, and the painting shows the class structure of the time, and the biblical commandment to help the poor, which emphasizes the importance of social responsibility. Thinking about the materials, making, and context of this artwork helps us understand its deeper meaning. Tissot challenges the traditional idea of what fine art should be, inviting us to consider wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.