Man with Palsy Lowered to Christ 

James Tissot painted this watercolor of the Man with Palsy Lowered to Christ. The transparent strokes of paint make the scene dynamic; look at the strain on the faces of those lowering their friend through the roof, and the hopeful expressions of the crowd. Watercolor is a very immediate medium. Tissot had to work quickly, allowing the pigment to flow and blend, embracing the fluidity of his chosen material. But consider also the social context. Tissot was a successful academic painter, catering to a wealthy clientele, and here he chooses to depict a scene of collective effort, of friends literally supporting each other. The beams holding up the ceiling and decorative plates speak of labor, and the everyday. It seems to emphasize that salvation comes not from above, but from the community; a message reinforced by the very way the painting was made. So, next time you see a watercolor, think beyond the surface. Consider the active hand of the artist and the ways in which its making can imbue the artwork with meaning.