QuietJames TissotNone

Identification of the Portrait by James Tissot

James Tissot (1836–1902) submitted Quiet to London's Royal Academy of Arts in 1881. The work captures a private moment involving the artist's mistress and frequent model, Kathleen Newton (1854–1882). She is accompanied by Lilian Hervey (b. 1875), the niece of Newton.

The composition includes a black and white collie within the scene. This intimate grouping of figures and the animal provides a glimpse into the artist's personal circle during his period in London.

Visual Composition and Subject Matter

A woman sits upon an animal pelt, cradling a child in her lap. She wears a blue dress, accented by a single flower pinned to her shoulder. Between the woman and the child, a handbag rests on the couch. The scene is set outdoors, painted under a tree in the artist's garden at 17, Grove End Road.

Two dogs occupy the space around the figures. One dog is positioned near the right side of the couch, while the second dog is situated closer to the left. The arrangement captures a moment of repose, framed by the natural elements of the garden setting.

Technical Details and Physical Support

Executed in oil on a panel, this work measures 31.7 x 21.6cm. The choice of a rigid support provides a smooth surface for the precise application of pigment, facilitating the high level of detail characteristic of the artist's approach. The scale of the piece suggests an intimate viewing experience, intended for close inspection rather than distant observation.

The painting is categorized within the Realist School, emphasizing a direct and unidealized representation of its subjects. Its formal qualities reflect the principles of academicism, characterized by a disciplined command over form and a focus on anatomical and textural accuracy. This technical rigor ensures that the textures of the clothing and the presence of the animals are rendered with significant clarity.

Provenance and History of Ownership

The work was acquired by Richard Donkin, M.P. (1836–1919), a British shipping executive and member of Parliament. Following its acquisition, the painting remained within the Donkin family's possession for several decades, held in private hands until the early 1990s.

In 1993, the piece was sold at auction for $416,000. This valuation represented the equivalent of $732,000 in 2019 currency.