Wedding at Cana 

James Tissot, a French painter, created this watercolor painting of the Wedding at Cana sometime in the late 19th century. Here, we see the biblical story rendered with a tangible sense of materiality. The table, laden with simple bread, is grounded by the presence of roughly-hewn ceramic vessels. These vessels were likely created through traditional pottery methods, shaped by hand, fired, and imbued with a sense of utility. The artist uses watercolor to emphasize the weight and texture of the woven baskets and stone containers, set against the crisp linens and the soft folds of clothing. The workers' movements, from carrying platters to filling water jugs, highlight the labor inherent in such a gathering. Tissot shows not just the miracle, but the ordinary processes of food service. By paying attention to materials, making, and the social context, Tissot prompts us to consider the relationship between the divine and the everyday. He brings the biblical narrative into the realm of human experience, celebrating the dignity of labor and the importance of communal life.