Historical information

James Tissot is most famous for his artwork that depicts the European bourgeois society of the late 19th century. This societal period is often referred to as La Belle Époque, where affluent bourgeoisie living created a complicated mode of manners and dress. This subject matter used in his art made Tissot popular with the bourgeois society, however it made him unpopular with critics who deemed his works as of loose morals due to his subject matter. Tissot’s art style of Realism also put him at odds with his fellow artists and friends such as Degas and Manet who were greats of the European Impressionist movement.
This print was made using the printmaking technique of etching, which allowed Tissot to make multiply prints of a particular artwork to sell on mass at a more affordable price to the general population who wished to emulate the bourgeoisie lifestyle of the wealthy.

Physical description

A rectangular portrait etching of a 19th century European young lady dressed in her best attire seated in a fashionable manner, printed in black ink on white paper.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
J J Tissot/ 1883 (Artist's signature and date - located in the bottom right corner of the print)