Moses Strikes the Rock 1902

James Tissot painted 'Moses Strikes the Rock' in France, during the late 19th century. Here, Tissot portrays a dramatic scene from the Old Testament, one deeply embedded in Western culture. But what does it mean to depict an ancient story with such apparent realism, as though it were an eye-witness account? The composition evokes academic painting, a style favoured by institutions like the French Salon. Yet, Tissot also draws from emerging trends in photography and illustration, which valued documentary accuracy. Consider the emphasis on ethnography in the costumes and landscape. Were these details meant to lend authenticity to the narrative? Or did they cater to a Western fascination with the ‘Orient’? As art historians, we can explore these questions by researching period sources: travelogues, biblical scholarship, and exhibition reviews. By examining the social and cultural context, we gain a richer understanding of the image’s meaning and its place in history.