“The Youth of Jesus, illustration for ‘The Life of Christ'”, created by James Tissot between circa 1886 and circa 1894, is a watercolor painting on paper classified under the Symbolism art movement. Categorized as a religious painting, the artwork is housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork portrays a young Jesus carrying a hefty wooden plank, indicative of his life and work as a carpenter. Clad in a striped robe with a sash and a headband, the young figure walks barefoot over rocky terrain. In the background, two older figures observe his actions from an archway, their expressions and stances suggesting a scene of everyday labor and apprenticeship that emphasizes the humanity and humble beginnings of Jesus. The architectural elements and stone steps contribute to the depiction of a serene, ancient setting. The use of muted colors and meticulous detailing exemplifies Tissot’s distinctive style, capturing a poignant moment from Christ’s early life.
