A face in the middle of a white starburst of rays.
Bible in art · Matthew
The Vision of Saint Joseph (Vision de Saint Joseph)
James Tissot · 1886–1894
Brooklyn Museum, New York
Tissot often painted angels as light rather than as solid figures. In this dark sheet the angel is a star of fine white rays hanging over Joseph, with a calm face at the centre and two hands raised, fingers pointing.
Joseph lies on a low bed in a white headcloth and blue robe. His chin rests on his hand and his eyes are open — Tissot shows the dream as a vision in the night over the sleeper.
From the text
- “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream” (Matthew 1:20)
- “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife” (Matthew 1:20)
The artist’s own
- The angel as a starburst of light
- Joseph’s eyes open, as if half awake
Details
The angel
A raised hand
The angel lifts a hand and points upward.
Joseph
He lies on a red cushion with his chin on his hand.
James Tissot, French, 1836–1902. Brooklyn Museum, New York (Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.22) · Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper · Brooklyn Museum (Commons file page, «Permission»): "This image was uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum as a content partnership, and is considered to have no known copyright restrictions by the institutions of the Brooklyn Museum." — "No known copyright restrictions".