James Tissot was a French painter who studied art in Paris. After France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, he moved to London to earn money quickly by painting highly finished scenes of London society and social events, which were instantly popular. While criticized as being like photographs, they showed his technical skill and Gallic sophistication. He also painted atmospheric scenes along the Thames river. In 1882, Tissot moved back to Paris and initially continued painting society scenes, but later devoted himself to religious paintings, visiting the Middle East twice for backgrounds.