Whistler

1834 – 1903

General info:
Whistler was invited by Degas to exhibit at the (first) ‘impressionist exposition. This is something Cassatt remembered Degas saying so around 1908 (R410,p257).
First influenced by the Realism of Courbet and by Japonism.
Born in the USA. 1855 moved to Paris (R58,p183);
1856: studied at Gleyre; befriend with Fantin-Latour, Legros, Courbet (R3,p704).
Many of his paintings are called after colours and musical thermes.
Some of his nocturnes are almost abstract, leaving out details and preferring to render mist.
Though he is related to the Impressionists and tries to render the impression of a mood, he was not an Impressionist; he mostly painted in his studio (R58,p188).
Received at the Exposition Universelle in 1900 a Grand Prix in 1900, as representative of the USA.
More info + pictures: More info ; more info on his etchings (=iR31) and iR40; pictures .

Portraits:

JAM Whistler: 1859, Zacharie Astruc, littérateur (A Literary Man), etch ps, 23x15, LoC Washington (iR453;iR10;iR105;R420,fig.1) — JAM Whistler: 1859, Zacharie Astruc, littérateur (A Literary Man), etch ps, 23×15, LoC Washington (iR453;iR10;iR105;R420,fig.1)

James Whistler, 1861, Wapping (on the Thames) (detail Legros), 72x102, NGA Washington (iR10;M21;R1,p51) — James Whistler, 1861, Wapping (on the Thames) (detail Legros), 72×102, NGA Washington (iR10;M21;R1,p51)

Pictures:

Recommanded citation: “Para-Impressionism: James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903). Last modified 2025/06/02. https://www.impressionism.nl/whistler-1834-1903/”

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