Artist Study: James Abbott McNeill Whistler

We are just about to wrap up an Artist study on James Abbott McNeill Whistler, an American born painter. We've been studying him 8 weeks.  

July 11. 1834-July 17, 1903

Looking over his work, I'm struck by his ability to capture one's soul in the eyes. When I flipped through the pages at his pieces, I found myself drawn to the eyes of his subjects. I could almost see right into them. Some of my favorite examples are The Little Rose and The Master Smith of Lyme Regis, Arthur Jerome Eddy, and Lady Meux in Pink and Gray. 

An Arrangement in Flesh Color and Brown (Arthur Jerome Eddy) 1894

Arrangement in Black No 5 Lady Meux 1881

Harmony in Pink and Grey Valerie, Lady Meux 1881

Symphony in White No. 1: The White Girl, 1862

The Little Rose of Lyme Regis, 1895

The Master Smith of Lyme Regis, 1895-1896

Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 (Whistler's Mother), 1871

When I look closely at his water landscapes, I find that I can almost breath in the salt smell and hear the ocean and feel the cool breeze moving across the waters.

Blue and silver the blue wave, Biarritz 1862

Crepuscule in Flesh Color and Green Valparaiso 1866

The Last of Old Westminster, 1862

*Fun fact: Whistler painted this piece at an acquaintance's residence over the course of several weeks. He wore out his welcome. Dropping the wet painting onto the owners floor didn't help matters much either.

Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Valparaiso Bay, 1866

Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, 1874

*Fun fact: Whistler was so offended over John Ruskin's critique of this piece that he took him to court. For future note, it is offensive to report that someone has been "flinging a pot of paint in the public's face." 

 Black Lion Wharf, 1859

*Word Search: Can you find the words Black Lion Wharf in the etching?

We used the picture study aid from A Humble Place to get some basic information about some of the pieces and Whistler's life. 
Wishing you homeschool blessings,

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