Tissot, James (Joseph Jacques) (1836–1902)

French painter. He is best known for detailed depictions of Victorian high society during a ten-year stay in England, as in Ball on Shipboard (1874; Tate Gallery, London).

Initially he was influenced by Degas and shared his interest in Japanese prints. He settled in England after 1870 where he contributed illustrations to London journals. He also illustrated the life of Christ, spending ten years in Palestine, though his fame was established by his scenes of contemporary life, including The Picnic (Tate Gallery, London). He was also an accomplished etcher.