James Tissot, d'Orsay

Dear PBers, the week-long heatwave finally broke yesterday. And I finally got the JULY LETTER in the post last night at 5 PM. To celebrate a return to sanity I went to the ORSAY to see the James Tissot exhibit.

The Orsay is open till 9:45 PM on Thursdays. Not so many people. Its reservations only but you can easily RSVP online outside.

I'm experiencing the museum differently now I'm aware of it's train station past. You can almost see, hear  and smell the locomotives.

The first painting in the show is a stunning portrait of Tissot by his good friend Degas. They studied together at the Beaux Arts. Tissot is surrounded by his collection of Japanese screens, prints and fabrics, plus diagonal motifs. It demonstrates the Japonisme trend both artists were influenced by. Plus Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Manet, Monet and Whistler. All painting buddies.

For a quick dip into the art history of Japonisme, I like the Art d'Histoire videos.

Instructor Lise Martinot is speaking French only but the visuals are so strong, you'll get the picture.

Squint at the featured Tissot to notice the repeated diagonal framework for the figures. The background woman is silhouetted and flattened by the black shape behind her like in a Japanese woodblock print.

I was so taken sketching the buttons and satin bows, I didn't notice till I drew her how the foreground woman's profile is set off by a large Japanese fan. That's why doodling at exhibits even in the most casual way is useful. You'll see much more.

It was said Tissot that he kept Champagne in the waiting room off his studio. It's in his paintings too.

Many of Tissot's commissions are family group portraits and fashionable ladies. He's not one of the great painters of his time but that's just my opinion.

Clearly he  was a big influence on the making of Merchant-Ivory Victorian films.

Snippets are played as you exit the show: Portrait of a Lady, A Room with a View, etc. The FIRST 5 PBers TO IDENTIFY THE SONG HIDDEN IN THE LINKS WILL GET A FREE PARIS LETTER 💌 PLS. LEAVE RESPONSE IN COMMENTS ONLY. Stay well please ❤️🐻