The Ball

1869–1876

Employed by: Vanity Fair

1871–1882 · Luogo di lavoro

London

1875 or 1876

Meets Kathleen Newton

In 1875 or 1876 Tissot met Kathleen Newton, an Irish divorcee who became his companion and the sitter for dozens of his paintings and studies. Their relationship quickly became intimate.

1876 · Luogo di lavoro

Ramsgate

1877

Kathleen moves in with Tissot

In 1877 Kathleen Newton moved into Tissot's house. His Catholic faith did not recognise her divorce, but they lived openly as husband and wife (the servants called her “Madame Tissot”), and Tissot later called these years the happiest of his life: he could be a family man, and her children often visited.

c. 1880 – 1881

Kathleen falls ill with tuberculosis

Around 1880–1881 Kathleen contracted tuberculosis, and Tissot painted her sitting well wrapped outdoors, as fresh air was thought to cure. In 1877–1881 he had painted travels along the Thames, to the south coast and to Paris, but more often Kathleen reading in the garden or surrounded by children.