Building the Tower of Babel 

James Tissot’s watercolor, 'Building the Tower of Babel,' presents a scene dominated by the eponymous tower, its structure imposing against a muted sky. The composition uses a palette of earth tones, which evokes a sense of antiquity and labor. The arrangement is carefully structured: the human figures and beasts of burden are methodically placed, emphasizing the collective effort in constructing this ambitious ziggurat. The use of watercolor lends the scene a transparent quality, mirroring the transparency of human ambition. The tower can be interpreted as a sign for the limits of human hubris. Tissot uses the tower's incomplete structure to present a semiotic challenge. This piece highlights the tension between divine will and human endeavor, the potential for grand achievements, and the inherent risks of overreaching.