In my post about the Taft Museum I mentioned Sargent and Whistler.
@rosiew commented asking
I'm very curious as to why Whistler and Sargent are some of your favorite 19th century artists.
My answer to why I like John Singer Sargent.
Now I will talk about why I like Whistler. There are two pieces of work, both in DC that tie me to Whistler. One is Symphony in White, No. 1 and the other is the Peacock Room.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Whistler was born in Massachusetts in 1834. He lived in Russia with his parents and took art lessons there. He went back to the US to attend West Point. When he was 21 he moved to France and lived abroad until his death in 1903 in London, England. 1
One is Symphony in White, No. 1
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James Abbott McNeill Whistler
One is Symphony in White, No. 1, 1861-1862
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
I was introduced to this very large painting on a tour of the National Gallery of Art and go back to see often when I am in DC. It is a very large painting at 215 cm × 108 cm (84.5 in × 42.5 in). 2
In the picture above you can see it from the next gallery. When I see it through the galleries it draws me to it.
It was rejected by the Salon and accepted at the Salon des Refusés. Of the painting Whistler wrote a friend saying,
..a woman in a beautiful white cambric dress, standing against a window which filters the light through a transparent white muslin curtain – but the figure receives a strong light from the right and therefore the picture, barring the red hair, is one gorgeous mass of brilliant white. 2
It is beautiful, with so much white, and from far away it looks so beautiful, then you get close and see she is standing on a bear skin and her expression and body language is a bit sad. It is an intriguing painting to me and a bit confusing. I am not sure how I feel about it.
Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room
These pictures were taken in 2012 almost 20 years ago. I really need to go back to the Freer Gallery next time I am in DC and see this painting/ room again.
In 1877 this room was in London. It was the dining room of British shipping magnate Fredrick Richards Leyland. It was sold to Charles Freer and installed in his mansion in Detroit and then in 1919 it was installed in the Freer Gallery. 3
There is a lot of history and intrigue associated with the painting. Next time I am in DC I will take better pictures and do a longer post about this piece.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, 1877
Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Here is the piece at the Taft Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio that sparked the conversation.
From the video we learn,
The painting was done when Whistler was 24 years old. His father had recently died and this was his father's piano that is half sister inherited and is playing in the painting. His half sister, Deborah and her daughter Annie are wearing mourning attire. It is considered Whistler's first masterpiece and was accepted by the Royal Academy in London. 4
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
At the Piano, 1858–5
Taft Museum of Art
To summarize, I like Whistler because I am familiar with some of his work and it is memorable. I learned through the answer the question for @rosiew that I definitely like Sargent more than Whistler! And I enjoy learning about artists and the art in more detail.
Art Talk Series Highlights
Art Talk: 2020 Posts
Art Talk: 2019 Posts
Art Talk: 2018 Posts