“The Gathering of the Manna,” created by James Tissot between circa 1896 and circa 1902, is a gouache on board painting belonging to the Symbolism art movement. This religious painting, measuring 29 by 24 centimeters, vividly captures a Biblical scene through Tissot’s meticulous and expressive use of gouache.
In the artwork, a group of figures is depicted fervently collecting manna from the ground, framed by a landscape of arid, desert-like hills. The scene is imbued with dynamic energy as individuals reach towards the ground, and women carry large baskets. The figures are garbed in traditional robes and head coverings, emphasizing the historical and religious context of the painting. Tissot’s adept use of gouache provides a rich texture and depth to the scene, highlighting the painstaking details of the figures’ clothing and the manna scattered on the ground. The artwork exudes a sense of urgency and reverence, capturing a moment of divine providence.
