“An Old Cistern,” created by James Tissot between 1886 and 1889, is a distinguished work executed in graphite and ink on paper. This piece, measuring 23.8 x 15.7 cm, is part of the Realism movement and falls under the cityscape genre. It is presently housed in the Brooklyn Museum, New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork depicts a serene, architectural scene within a cityscape. A meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate rendering of the weathered stone walls that encase the space. A cylindrical cistern with a lid, placed under a rustic water spout, occupies the lower left section of the composition. The uneven, cobblestone pavement guides the viewer’s eye towards a staircase ascending to an unseen space, offering a sense of depth and continuity. The overall composition exudes a quiet, historical ambiance, resonating with the Realist commitment to capturing everyday life and tangible realities with precision and clarity.
