The artwork titled “Miriam Shut Out from the Camp,” created by James Tissot, aligns with the Symbolism art movement and falls within the genre of religious painting. The piece portrays a significant biblical event, thoughtfully rendered in the Symbolist tradition, where metaphors and deeper meanings are emphasized.
The artwork depicts a lone figure, identified as Miriam, seated on a stone ledge adjacent to a weathered stone wall. Miriam appears to be in a state of distress or contemplation, as she covers her head with a cloth, her face partially obscured. The somber mood is accentuated by the monochromatic palette, lending an air of solemnity and seclusion. Adjacent to her lies a basket, which further signifies her separation from the camp. The detailed textures of the stone wall and the simplicity of her surroundings highlight her isolation and the gravity of her exile. This poignant portrayal evokes a narrative of exclusion and divine consequence, characteristic of Tissot’s religious works.
