In Full Sunlight c. 1881

James Tissot captured this garden scene with oil on canvas in the late 19th century. The painting offers a glimpse into the leisure of the upper-middle class, a theme Tissot explored extensively. The image speaks to the social conventions surrounding women and children at this time in England. The women's elaborate dresses and hats, though impractical for outdoor activity, signal status and respectability. The children are carefully posed, reflecting the era's emphasis on proper upbringing. The parasols scattered about were necessary to protect the fair skin of the upper classes. Tissot, a French artist working in England, gained popularity portraying these scenes of bourgeois life. Understanding this artwork involves delving into the fashion, social norms, and economic structures of Victorian England. The art historian uses sources like period magazines, etiquette manuals, and economic data to unpack the painting's cultural meanings. The meaning of art always depends on social and institutional contexts.