Whistler

Most people have heard of Whistler's Mother (actually called Arrangement in Grey and Black No 1 done in 1871).  I didn't know much else about him.

So thanks to a couple of library books, here is some info on the artist.

Whistler was born in the US state of Massachusetts in 1834.  His father was an engineer so the family moved from project to project and country to country.

His first art lessons were in Russia.  He had an early fascination with Hogarth drawings.

He was not all that well – multiple bouts of rheumatic fever.  He was quite short – about 5 foot 3 – I wonder how that affected him?

Didn't concentrate at school.  At 17 he got into West Point.  But much to his mother's shame he flunked out in the 3^rd year.

Whistler moved to Paris where he moved in artistic circles – quite a bohemian.  He got involved with spiritualism and séances.  This is At The Piano – his first public sale – it got him 30 pounds.

 

He became influenced by Japanese art.  And was a Confederate sympathiser.  He moved around a lot and had disputes with people including his brother-in-law who he fell out with big time.

He was always in financial difficulties and even went bankrupt.  After this he went to Venice – having been paid for the re-issue of some etchings.

When he was 54 he married Trixie.  This didn't stop him being a litigious curmudgeon.  Some years later Trixie died of cancer.  He was devastated and became even more of a curmudgeon.  He died aged 69.