tissot 8

Though certainly not immune to all forms of criticism... 

Tissot sought to create a vision of the Gospels that resembled the world of Jesus's time as closely he could witness it. Modern in his style, attentive to detail, and original in his depictions of previously unrepresented scenes, Tissot embraced the core elements of the Christian artistic and historic traditions, inviting the input of both Jewish and Christian scholars to aid his work... 

while also desiring that a new, recovered picture of Jesus' life might bring the message of God's mercy and loving sacrifice to the hearts of his audience.

Though Tissot's Life of Christ has almost entirely disappeared from the present day's social memory... 

its impact upon the western imagination can be felt in the dramatic shift of almost all subsequent depictions of the holy land. In general, the west's perception of biblical Palestine shifted closer to Tissot's semi-historical vision rather than simply dressing the story in western clothes. 

For an example of this trend... 

many recent, popular pieces of art and cinema have likely drawn their inspiration directly from Tissot's vision. Perhaps most recognizable instance is the design of the Hebrew Ark of the Covenant used for the movie Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). 

Another instance might be the similarity of many Life of Christ scenes to artist Harry Anderson's paintings for the Church of Latter Day Saints (1960s), images familiar to Mormons around the globe for their frequent use as illustrations in Mormon religious texts. 

Other films that have been credited for referencing Tissot include "From the Manger to the Cross (1912), William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959), and Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth (1977)".

[bron]