Letter 'L' with Hats 1885

James Tissot, a French painter, made this work, titled “Letter ‘L’ with Hats”, with oil on canvas. Here we see a gathering in a park in France, full of figures, and in the foreground are two women dressed in black with elaborate hats. The imagery is interesting, as it makes us consider the social conditions that shaped this artistic production. The scene appears to be set during a time of political or social unrest. The presence of military figures and the somber attire of the women suggest a period of mourning or uncertainty. The newspaper at the feet of one of the women hints at the public role of art and the politics of imagery. Newspapers served as a medium for disseminating information and shaping public opinion. We might ask, does this artwork comment on the social structures of its time? We as historians use a variety of research resources, such as historical documents, newspapers, and other cultural artifacts, to gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's meaning and significance within its original social and institutional context.