“The Departure Platform, Victoria Station,” created by James Tissot around the year 1880, is a notable artwork composed using gouache and watercolor. The piece falls under the Realism movement and is a fine example of genre painting. Presently, it is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts a bustling scene at Victoria Station, a central hub of activity and movement. At the forefront, a woman elegantly dressed in a coat and carrying an umbrella engages with the lively environment. Horse-drawn carriages, each meticulously detailed and carrying various passengers, dominate the middle ground. The background is filled with dynamic figures and the architectural elements of the station, capturing the hustle and bustle typical of such a locale in that era. Overall, the piece offers a vivid portrayal of the energy and complexity of travel during the late 19th century.