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Jungle Tales (Contes de la Jungle) by James Jebusa Shannon

James Jebusa Shannon · 1895-01-01

In James Jebusa Shannon's 1898 oil painting, "Jungle Tales (Contes de la Jungle)", we're invited into a quiet moment of childhood and shared imagination. This work is a wonderful example of the Impressionist movement's focus on intimate, domestic scenes.

Observe the focused expression of the girl absorbed in her book, and the soft, textured brushstrokes that give life to the figures' clothing. The intricate lace on one girl's dress, for instance, highlights the artist's attention to detail within a broader Impressionistic style.

Shannon, an Anglo-American artist and father to illustrator Kitty Shannon, often depicted family life. This painting, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, captures a universal joy of storytelling and the power of literature to transport us, even from a simple wooden bench.

What stories do you imagine these "Jungle Tales" might contain?

Details

This young girl is lost in “Jungle Tales.”
This young girl is lost in “Jungle Tales.”
Her friend leans in to share the story.
Her friend leans in to share the story.
Impressionist painters often captured such domestic scenes.
Impressionist painters often captured such domestic scenes.
Notice the thick brushstrokes in her dress and hair.
Notice the thick brushstrokes in her dress and hair.
The artist, James Jebusa Shannon, painted his own daughter.
The artist, James Jebusa Shannon, painted his own daughter.
Transcript

It’s 1898, and books are a window to adventure. This young girl is lost in “Jungle Tales.” Her friend leans in to share the story. Impressionist painters often captured such domestic scenes. Notice the thick brushstrokes in her dress and hair. The artist, James Jebusa Shannon, painted his own daughter.