“The Women of Midian Led Captive by the Hebrews,” a watercolor painting created between 1896 and 1900 by James Tissot, is a notable work in the Symbolism movement and belongs to the genre of religious painting. The artwork illustrates a scene from the Hebrew Bible, capturing the historical moment where the women of Midian are depicted being taken captive by the Hebrews.
The composition of the painting prominently features the contrast between the captives and their captors. The Midianite women, carrying bundles, walk somberly amidst their grim fate, garbed in soft, flowing garments that reflect their plight. The Hebrew soldiers, adorned in ancient armor and bearing shields, exhibit a sense of authority and determination as they lead their captives. The background is marked by distant, crumbling structures and a sky filled with dramatic clouds, setting a tense and somber mood. Tissot’s detailed and vibrant use of watercolor breathes life into this poignant Biblical narrative, encapsulating the intensity and significance of the depicted event.
