Portsmouth Dockyard

James Tissot

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Work Overview

Portsmouth Dockyard
c.1877
ARTIST James Tissot 1836–1902
MEDIUM Oil paint on canvas
DIMENSIONS Support: 381 x 546 mm
frame: 556 x 716 x 75 mm
COLLECTION Tate


This picture illustrates the traditional story of a man trying to choose between two women. The Highland Sergeant turns away from his rather sullen-looking companion and looks at the woman speaking to him, indicating that he has made his choice.This is a reworking of James Tissot’s painting The Thames which shocked audiences when it was shown at the Royal Academy in 1876 because of the questionable sexual morals of its characters. This painting was exhibited as a corrective.