This fine-art cross stitch design, To Early, was developed from a painting done in 1873 by French artist James Tissot (tee-soh). Tissot was extraordinarily talented in painting beautiful attire worn by women of society. When Tissot first arrived in London, he did a series of large-scale paintings, Too Early, being the first. This painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1873 and is considered one of his most celebrated and famous works. The scene in Too Early unfolds around the few early arrivals. It shows a moment of awkward embarrassment where guests have arrived too early for the event. Take note of the beautiful gowns worn by the women in this painting.