This painting is titled “Portrait of James Tissot” and was created by Edgar Degas in circa 1867-68. The medium used is oil on canvas, and it measures 59 5/8 x 44 inches. Tissot and Degas were friends and fellow artists. Tissot was a renowned painter of Paris society, and he later moved to London. In this portrait, Degas showcases Tissot in his studio with a painting behind him that pays homage to Renaissance art.
Tissot frequently incorporated Japanese costumes and objects in his artwork, and Degas highlights this aspect by painting Tissot sitting beneath a Japanese screen hanging on the wall. The portrait was prepared using chalk on two pieces of tan wove paper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York currently owns this painting.
It is worth noting that Tissot’s self-portrait from 1898 also exists, which demonstrates his artistic style and provides a glimpse into his thoughts and personality. Degas’s portrait of Tissot is an excellent example of portraiture and showcases both artists’ talents and individual styles. It provides insight into their friendship, artistic practices, and overall contributions to the art world during their respective periods.
