“The Sermon on the Mount, illustration for ‘The Life of Christ'” is a religious painting by James Tissot, executed in gouache on paper between approximately 1886 and 1896. This artwork is aligned with the Symbolism movement and is currently housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a multitude of figures gathered on a sloping hillside, listening intently to a central figure who stands elevated on a rocky outcrop. The listeners are portrayed in a variety of poses: standing, sitting, and some perched on the rocky landscape, all directing their attention to the speaker. They are dressed in an array of period-specific garments that suggest a diverse assembly of individuals from different walks of life united by the act of listening to the sermon being delivered.
The central figure is cloaked in white, with his back to the viewer, addressing the crowd. This pictorial strategy places emphasis on the sermon itself rather than the individual characteristics of the speaker, who is nonetheless understood to be a pivotal religious figure. The attendees’ attitudes, ranging from reverent to rapt, highlight the significance of the message being shared.
In the background, one can discern a less detailed depiction of more individuals and the environment, suggesting the vastness and reach of the gathering. The landscape features muted earthy tones, providing a solemn and natural backdrop that enhances the solemnity of the event being depicted. The careful rendering of figures and diligent attention to the naturalistic setting contribute to the artwork’s narrative power, capturing a pivotal moment of religious discourse and reflection.
