“The Grapes of Canaan,” created by James Tissot between approximately 1896 and 1902, is a gouache on board artwork belonging to the Symbolism art movement. This religious painting, measuring 27.6 by 23 centimeters, depicts a scriptural event with significant attention to detail and color.
The artwork portrays a biblical scene, believed to be based on the account from the Book of Numbers, where the Israelite spies return from Canaan carrying a cluster of grapes so large that it takes two men to bear its weight on a pole. The painting is rich in detail, showing the spies in traditional attire, walking through a sunlit landscape characterized by its desert hues and rugged hillsides. The figures are expressive, reflecting a sense of determination and duty. The backdrop, with its pastel tones and undulating terrain, provides a serene yet stark contrast to the labor-intensive efforts of the spies in the foreground. The depiction of camels and additional figures in the distance adds depth and context to the narrative, emphasizing the group’s journey and the significance of their find.
