“The Possessed Boy at the Foot of Mount Tabor” is a religious painting by James Tissot, currently housed in the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. The artwork portrays a biblical scene with solemnity, reflecting Tissot’s adeptness in capturing religious narratives with emotive and vivid detail.
In the artwork, a young boy is depicted in a state of possession, lying on the ground with a contorted expression, while those around him exhibit concern and distress. Central to the scene is a figure clothed in white, symbolizing a divine presence, standing authoritatively with an outstretched arm. Around the central figure, several bystanders are depicted in varying postures – some are kneeling, others are standing with expressions of awe and apprehension. In the background, a serene landscape of Mount Tabor and a modest village provides a stark contrast to the tumultuous foreground, accentuating the gravity of the miracle being unfolded. The detailed and expressive faces add to the dramatic intensity of the scene, highlighting themes of faith, desperation, and divine intervention.
