Tissot, James (1836-1902)
Summer (‘Portrait’)
1876
Oil on canvas, 91.4 x 50.8 cm
Tate Britain, London
James Tissot is deliberately ambiguous here, inviting us to interpret it. His model, Miss Lloyd, stands at the entrance of a billiards’ room, a space traditionally associated with men. She is either leaving or inviting someone in. Her large engagement ring adds mystery as to who she is looking at. Tissot also made a print on the same subject called ‘Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée (A Door Must Be Open or Closed) or Portrait of Miss L. (Tate)