The Accursed Fig Tree 

James Tissot likely made this watercolor, titled 'The Accursed Fig Tree,' in the late 19th century. Watercolor is known for its fluid, translucent washes, created by suspending pigments in water. Tissot uses this technique to evoke the stark, unforgiving landscape and the dramatic moment depicted. The washes imbue the scene with a certain ephemerality, as if the curse itself is a fleeting breath. But consider, too, the labor involved. Each delicate layer of watercolor requires careful application and control. Tissot's choice of this medium, with its inherent challenges, speaks to a deliberate process of creation, one that mirrors the slow, organic growth of the fig tree itself. Here, Tissot is drawing on both the traditions of fine art painting and the meticulous craft of watercolor to tell a powerful story. The choice of material and the labor-intensive technique become integral to the meaning of the work.