James Tissot created this watercolor, Le Départ du Fiancé, that depicts a historical scene of a man departing, presumably for marriage, while leaving behind his family. The composition references imagery of departure and farewell, common in 19th-century French painting but the figures are in costume, so the work creates a feeling of historical distance. This allows for a reflection on contemporary marriage. Tissot was painting at a time when marriage was less about family alliance, and more about individual choice, so the mixed feelings of the family take on new meaning. For the art historian, it's vital to understand how the norms around love, marriage, and family have changed over time. By looking at popular literature, marriage advice manuals, and even legal documents, we can begin to understand the social and cultural forces that shaped how people experienced the institution of marriage in Tissot's time.