Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Holy Thursday
Selected illustrations for Holy Thursday
+ The Evil Counsel
+ The Last Supper
+ The Communion of the Apostles
+ Judas Retires from the Supper
+ My Soul Is Exceedingly Sorrowful unto Death
+ Agony in the Garden
+ Jesus Ministered to by Angels
+ Judas Kiss
The titles of any Tissot illustrations for Holy Thursday not shown on this page are linked to where the images may be viewed at another site with accompanying Bible verses.
The Evil Counsel
Matthew 26:1-5: "When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 'As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.' Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 'But not during the Feast," they said, 'or there may be a riot among the people.'" Brooklyn Museum Commentary: "In John’s account, the Pharisees seek the counsel of the chief priest Caiaphas, fearful that Jesus’ growing ministry will provoke the wrath of the Romans and thereby jeopardize the Jewish nation. For the sake of political expediency, Caiaphas urges the priests to find a way to kill Jesus." Tissot emphasizes the clandestine nature of the meeting by placing the participants at the top of the stair, at a distance from the viewer, a rare compositional strategy. Their turned backs and black hoods accentuate the sense of conspiracy."
Jesus Going to the Mount of Olives at Night
Man Bearing a Pitcher
The Last Supper
Luke 22:14-16: "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.'"
The Last Supper: Judas dipping his hand in the dish
The Washing of the Feet
The Communion of the Apostles
Luke 22:14-16: When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.'"Matthew 26:26-29: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."'I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.'"
Judas Retires from the Supper
Mark 14:32-36: "They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"
Agony in the Garden
Luke 22:41, 43-44: "He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."Brooklyn Museum Commentary: Following the Last Supper, Jesus and the apostles retreat to Gethsemane (an olive grove) on the Mount of Olives. While his disciples rest, Christ prays alone, asking God if it is possible to let his sufferings pass him by, yet reaffirming his commitment to submit to God’s will. . . .While one angel holds a chalice—the cup of Jesus’ suffering—the others proffer globes with scenes of the Passion to come, including Veronica’s veil, the Crucifixion, and the lamentation of the Virgin Mary."
You Could Not Watch One Hour with Me
Jesus Ministered to by Angels
Luke 22:42: "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. "
Judas Approaches with a Large Crowd
Judas Kiss
Matthew 26:48-50: "Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.' Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him."Jesus replied, 'Friend, do what you came for.' Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him."
Judas Iscariot
This is one of a series of posts for Holy Week.
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Palm Sunday
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Monday
Holy Illustrated by James Tissot: Tuesday
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Wednesday
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Good Friday
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Holy Saturday
Holy Week Illustrated by James Tissot: Easter Sunday
After his conversion back to the Catholic faith of his childhood, James Jacques Tissot, French realist painter of worldly scenes, took three arduous trips to the Holy Land to seek out and record authentic details about the people, the landscape, the architecture, and the way of life. On his return he created a series of goache (opaque watercolor) illustrations that he later published with great success in a lavishly produced book with the title, The Life of Our Saviour Jesus Christ: Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Compositions from the Four Gospels with Notes and Explanatory Drawings.
In 1896, the illustrations went on a trans-Atlantic tour to be displayed in London, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, and they attracted throngs wherever they were shown. In 1900, the illustrations along with Tissot's preliminary drawings and notes were purchased on the advice of John Singer Sargent to be the centerpiece collection of the newly formed Brooklyn Museum of Art—with the help of thousands of subscriptions from average citizens. The images on this page are from the Brooklyn Museum www.brooklynmuseum.org.
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