James Jacques Joseph Tissot, Miriam Shut Out From the Camp, 1896-1902. It's fascinating, really: Everybody, everybody loves Miriam with a timbrel, crossing the Red Sea. Finding compelling art of Miriam in the desert was a nearly impossible task (and I only found this because the great Alicia Jo Rabins pointed me in this direction). There were a few medieval Christian pieces that had a horned Moses and a prostrating Miriam being humiliated-- not into that. But beyond that? Almost nothing. The lack of interest in Miriam during this time merits its own conversation--and underscores why I wanted to make space for us to try to hear her voice. In any case, curious for your take on this piece; I find it to be emotionally compelling, even if, uh, large brick houses probably weren't much of a thing for the Israelites wandering in the desert? #JustSaying. (Poor thing was forced to live in the country house instead of the camp for a week.)
