James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Painting, Visual Artist

1834 – 1903

 Credit »
32

Who was James Abbott McNeill Whistler?

James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American-born, British-based artist active during the American Gilded Age. 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 entitled many of his paintings "arrangements", "harmonies", and "nocturnes", emphasizing the primacy of tonal harmony. His most famous painting is Whistler's Mother, 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.

We need you!

Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!

Born
Jul 10, 1834
Lowell
Also known as
  • 麦克尼尔.威斯泰勒
  • James McNeill Whistler
Parents
Siblings
Children
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • United States Military Academy
Lived in
  • Chelsea
    (1863 - )
  • Paris
    (1855 - )
  • Lowell
Died
Jul 17, 1903
London

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"James Abbott McNeill Whistler." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/james_mcneill_whistler>.

Discuss this James Abbott McNeill Whistler biography with the community:

0 Comments

    Browse Biographies.net