Art Tuesday - James McNeill Whistler

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Tuesday, Jan 31 2012 by

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (July 10, 1834 – July 17, 1903) was an American-born, British-based artist. Averse to sentimentality and moral allusion in painting, he was a leading proponent of the credo “art for art’s sake”. His famous signature for his paintings was in the shape of a stylized butterfly possessing a long stinger for a tail. The symbol was apt, for it combined both aspects of his personality—his art was characterized by a subtle delicacy, while his public persona was combative. Finding a parallel between painting and music, Whistler titled many of his paintings “arrangements”, “harmonies”, and “nocturnes”, emphasizing the primacy of tonal harmony. His most famous painting is Whistler’s Mother (1871), the revered and oft parodied portrait of motherhood. Whistler influenced the art world and the broader culture of his time with his artistic theories and his friendships with leading artists and writers.

'Arrangement in White and Black' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Arrangement in White and Black' by James McNeill Whistler

'Arrangement in Black: Portrait of F. R. Leyland' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Arrangement in Black: Portrait of F. R. Leyland' by James McNeill Whistler
'Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Little Blue Girl' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Little Blue Girl' by James McNeill Whistler

'The Thames in Ice' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'The Thames in Ice' by James McNeill Whistler

'Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Valparaiso' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Valparaiso' by James McNeill Whistler

'Nocturne: Blue and Silver—Battersea Reach' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Nocturne: Blue and Silver—Battersea Reach' by James McNeill Whistler
'The Little Red Glove' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'The Little Red Glove' by James McNeill Whistler

'Nocturne: Trafalgar Square, Chelsea—Snow' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Nocturne: Trafalgar Square, Chelsea—Snow' by James McNeill Whistler
'Portrait of Charles Lang Freer' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Portrait of Charles Lang Freer' by James McNeill Whistler

'Nocturne: Blue and Silver—Bognor' by James McNeill Whistler (StreetView)
'Nocturne: Blue and Silver—Bognor' by James McNeill Whistler

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