The Centurion 1886 - 1894

James Tissot painted 'The Centurion' using watercolor over graphite, sometime between 1886 and 1894. Tissot was a French painter who spent his career in Britain, known for genre scenes of fashionable society, and later, religious subjects. Here, the Centurion stands in armour with a spear, overseeing a crowd outside Jerusalem. Tissot's attention to detail in the Roman soldier's garb reflects a wider late-19th century interest in historical accuracy. This was a period when archaeological discoveries were reshaping understandings of the ancient world. We might also consider the painting in terms of the institutional history of art. Tissot was working at a time when the art world was becoming more specialized and professionalized. His choice of religious subjects may have been a way to distinguish himself and appeal to a particular audience. To understand the painting fully, we might consult historical sources on Roman military life and religious practices in 19th-century France and Britain.