Wood engraving by Sarah van Niekerk (British 1934-2018) in The Reader’s Digest Bible (illustrated edition) 1990
Phillip Medhurst
Wisdom from a Gnostic Sage
Tag: suicide
Image | Dec 30, 2018
277.1/402-saul-falls-upon-his-sword-1-samuel-31:4-drawing-by-james-tissot-at-the-john-rylands-library-file-created-by-phillip-medhurst:
277.2/402 Saul falls upon his sword (1 Samuel 31:4) gouache on board by Louis de Parys after James Tissot Jewish Museum New York:
The paintings were reproduced in “La Sainte Bible : Ancien Testament . . . / Compositions par J.-James Tissot” with preface by A. D. Sertillanges, introduction by M. de Brunoff and the French version of L. J. Lemaistre de Saci. (Sertillanges, Antonin Gilbert 1863-1948; Le Maistre de Sacy, Isaac-Louis, 1613-1684) 2 vols.: illus., plates: 4to. 40 plates, 360 illustrations to text, by James Tissot (Tissot, Jacques-Joseph, French, 1836-1902). Paris: M. de Brunoff & Cie, 1904.
The edition contains 360 mounted colour, b/w, and duo-tone illustrations in the text and 40 plates in three states, sepia-tone, partly hand-coloured, and finished coloured state. The plates are protected with captioned tissue-guards. The paper size is 15 3/4 x 13 ins; image size varies (c 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 ins).
Illustration was completed after Tissot’s death in 1902 by Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, Auguste François Gorguet, Charles Hoffbauer, Louis van Parys, Michel Simonidy and Georges Bertin Scott.
Of the 561 copies printed, the John Rylands Library (Manchester) copy is an “exemplaire unique”. As well as the triple set of the large plates in various states, and a series of proofs before letters of the illustrations appearing in the text, it contains a water colour drawing by Tissot (“Joseph presents his father Jacob to Pharaoh”), his original pen and ink sketches for this work, and an autograph letter by him.
Files created by Phillip Medhurst: Tissot in Brunoff at the John Rylands
Image | Jul 24, 2017
Phillip Medhurst presents 286/392 the James Tissot Jesus c 1896 Judas Hangs Himself Matthew 27:5. By (James) Jacques-Joseph Tissot, French, 1836-1902. Opaque watercolour over graphite on paper. 30.2 x 15.6 cms. Brooklyn Museum New York.
Image | Jul 24, 2017
Phillip Medhurst presents 286/392 the James Tissot Jesus c 1896 Judas Hangs Himself Matthew 27:5. By (James) Jacques-Joseph Tissot, French, 1836-1902. After a painting now in the Brooklyn Museum, New York; photogravure from “La Vie de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ … . avec des notes et des dessins explicatifs par J. James Tissot” 1896-97.
Feb 18, 2016
Samson
Sam found a little knife
While wand’ring in the ward.
When nurses tried to truss
The old man to a chair,
He cut their knotted tape
And made good his escape.
But is he strong enough
To grab with steady hand
The starched lapel of Life-
In-Death’s white coat and crash
That cranium’s empty dome?
That way, he might get home.
Phillip Medhurst 