David Cuts Off the Head of Goliath c. 1896 - 1902

James Tissot rendered this watercolor of David beheading Goliath, staging a familiar scene from the Hebrew Bible. Tissot was working in France during a time when national identity was deeply invested in military and colonial power. In Tissot's depiction, the triumph of David, a young, lithe figure, over the fallen giant Goliath, resonates with themes of power, heroism, and divine favor. This reflects a fascination with historical and biblical narratives that justified social hierarchies. Note the gaze, David's strength contrasts with Goliath's defeat, echoing the historical context in which the domination of certain groups over others was rationalized. The painting prompts us to consider how these power dynamics, framed within the context of religious narrative, reinforce a sense of cultural superiority. Tissot's work serves not only as a depiction of a biblical event, but also reflects the complex interplay between identity, power, and historical narrative in 19th-century France.