James Abbott McNeill Whistler - Artists & Painters, Life Achievements and Facts
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's Personal Details
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American-born British artist best remembered for his painting ‘Whistler's Mother’.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 11, 1834 |
| Died on | July 17, 1903 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Artists & Painters, Artists |
| City/State | Massachusetts |
| Siblings | William Whistler |
| Known as | James McNeill Whistler |
| Childrens | John Alexander |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Lowell |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | George Washington Whistler |
| Mother | Anna McNeill Whistler |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Lowell |
| Famous as | Painter |
| Died at Age | 69 |
// Famous Artists & Painters
Micheline Roquebrune
Micheline Roquebrune is a petite Moroccan-French painter best known as the third wife the legendary Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Yvonne McGuinness
Yvonne McGuinness is an Irish multimedia artist. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's photo
Who is James Abbott McNeill Whistler?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American-born British artist best known for his paintings of nocturnal London and his full-length portraits. One of the major artists active during the American Gilded Age, he was also an articulate theorist who created a new set of principles for the fine arts and was a leading proponent of the philosophy of “art for art's sake". Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, as the son of a railroad engineer, he spent some time in Russia at St. Petersburg where his father was offered a job. He enjoyed a privileged childhood but was a moody child prone to temper tantrums who would calm down only when given the chance to draw and sketch. Recognizing his talent, his father had him enrolled in the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts when he was 11 years old. He exceled in his art classes and enjoyed having intellectual discussions with his older peers. A relative introduced him to art collectors and took him to lectures which further intensified the boy’s interest in fine arts. He decided as a teenager that he wanted to pursue art as a career. However, it was not before he struggled for years that he could finally establish himself as a successful artist and gain the acclaim he deserved.
// Famous Artists
Susan Mikula
Susan Mikula is an American artist and photographer. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun factsabout her life.
Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.
Bob Ross
Bob Ross was a celebrated, creative American painter and an art instructor. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Childhood & Early Life
James Abbott Whistler was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on July 11, 1834, to Anna Matilda McNeill and George Washington Whistler. He had several siblings, many of whom died in their childhood. His father was a railroad engineer.
His father was appointed as a chief engineer for the Boston & Albany Railroad in 1839, a position which earned him considerable fame and fortune. Tsar Nicholas I learned of George Whistler's amazing work with the Boston & Albany Railroad, and offered him an engineering position in 1842 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Thus the family moved to Russia in 1842.
James developed an interest in drawing and sketching at a young age. As a child he was prone to mood swings and temper tantrums but would calm down when offered the chance to draw and paint.
After moving to Russia, he took private art lessons and enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 11. He excelled in his education and started displaying signs of greatness.
He visited London with his family in the late 1840s and got the chance to meet art collectors and attend lectures. By now James had started collecting art books and studying other artists’ techniques.
He decided to pursue art as a career and was hoping for support from his family. However, tragedy struck when his loving father unexpectedly died of an illness, forcing the Whistler family to move back to his mother's hometown of Pomfret, Connecticut.
Career
James Abbott Whistler applied to the United States Military Academy at West Point and was selected in 1851. However, the army life did not suit him—he regularly broke the rules and performed poorly in courses and drill. The only aspect of army life that he liked was learning drawing and map making from American artist Robert W. Weir. He was eventually dismissed from the academy because of his misdemeanor.
By now he was convinced that he was meant to be an artist and moved to Europe to study art, arriving in Paris, France, in 1855. There he adopted the Bohemian lifestyle and became involved with the French modern movement.
He painted his first exhibited work, ‘La Mere Gerard’ in 1858. He then moved to London and settled there even though he continued making frequent visits to Paris. In 1859, he painted a portrait of his niece and her mother in their London music room, ‘At the Piano’.
The year 1861 was an eventful one for him. His painting, ‘Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl’, a portrait of his mistress Joanna became the first of his famous works. It was critically acclaimed and shown in a private gallery under the title ‘The Woman in White’.
During the 1860s, he became fascinated with nocturnal paintings, night scenes primarily set in harbors, painted with a blue or light green palette. He painted several such “nocturnes” over the ensuing years, many of which were of the River Thames and of Cremorne Gardens.
The 1860s marked a very creative period for the artist, and he started assigning musically inspired names to his paintings. Some of his famous works from this period are ‘Rose and Silver: La Princesse du Pays de la Porcelaine’ (1864), ‘Caprice in Purple and Gold, No. 2: The Golden Screen’ (1864), and ‘Symphony in Grey and Green: The Ocean’ (1866–67).
He was also a very renowned portrait painter. One day in 1871, a model for one of his portraits failed to appear, and thus Whistler asked his mother to pose for the portrait. The elderly lady agreed, and he painted what came to be known as ‘Whistler’s Mother’.
He also painted several other portraits during the 1870s including those of Thomas Carlyle (1873), Maud Franklin (1876), Cicely Alexander (1873), and full length portraits of F.R. Leyland and his wife Frances. Impressed by his work, Leyland commissioned the artist to decorate his dining room.
He began work on Leyland’s dining room, and converted it into a magnificent piece of art, now referred to as ‘Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room’. The interior decorative mural art, painted in a rich and unified palette of brilliant blue-greens with over-glazing and metallic gold leaf, is considered a high example of the Anglo-Japanese style.
Whistler joined the Society of British Artists in 1884 and was eventually made its president. During the later part of his career, he focused on lithography, the process of printing on metal, creating a series featuring London architecture and the human figure.
Major Work
James Abbott McNeill Whistler is best known for the painting known as ‘Whistler's Mother’. Originally called ‘Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1’, it is a nearly monochromatic full-length figure of an elderly woman seated on a chair. The painting became very famous and was accepted as a universal icon of motherhood by the worldwide public.
Awards & Achievements
He was elected an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in 1884.
In 1892, he was made an officer of the Légion d'honneur in France.
He became a charter member and first president of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers in 1898.
Personal Life & Legacy
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was romantically involved with several women. He was once in a relationship with model Joanna Hiffernan, and became involved with Maud Franklin after breaking up with Joanna. He had several illegitimate children.
He married Beatrice Godwin, the widow of his friend E. W. Godwin, in 1888. Theirs was a very happy marriage that was unfortunately cut short when his wife died of cancer. Her death shattered him and he never recovered fully from his grief.
He died in London on July 17, 1903, at the age of 69.
// Famous Massachusetts peoples
Eugenia Cooney
Check out all that you wanted to know about Eugenia Cooney, the famous American Vlogger & YouTube Personality; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was the last child of American President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
Nic Wallace
Check out all that you wanted to know about Nic Wallace, the famous American Instagram star; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler biography timelines
- // 11th Jul 1834James Abbott Whistler was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on July 11, 1834, to Anna Matilda McNeill and George Washington Whistler. He had several siblings, many of whom died in their childhood. His father was a railroad engineer.
- // 1851James Abbott Whistler applied to the United States Military Academy at West Point and was selected in 1851. However, the army life did not suit him—he regularly broke the rules and performed poorly in courses and drill. The only aspect of army life that he liked was learning drawing and map making from American artist Robert W. Weir. He was eventually dismissed from the academy because of his misdemeanor.
- // 1855By now he was convinced that he was meant to be an artist and moved to Europe to study art, arriving in Paris, France, in 1855. There he adopted the Bohemian lifestyle and became involved with the French modern movement.
- // 1858 To 1859He painted his first exhibited work, ‘La Mere Gerard’ in 1858. He then moved to London and settled there even though he continued making frequent visits to Paris. In 1859, he painted a portrait of his niece and her mother in their London music room, ‘At the Piano’.
- // 1861The year 1861 was an eventful one for him. His painting, ‘Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl’, a portrait of his mistress Joanna became the first of his famous works. It was critically acclaimed and shown in a private gallery under the title ‘The Woman in White’.
- // 1871He was also a very renowned portrait painter. One day in 1871, a model for one of his portraits failed to appear, and thus Whistler asked his mother to pose for the portrait. The elderly lady agreed, and he painted what came to be known as ‘Whistler’s Mother’.
- // 1884Whistler joined the Society of British Artists in 1884 and was eventually made its president. During the later part of his career, he focused on lithography, the process of printing on metal, creating a series featuring London architecture and the human figure.
- // 1884He was elected an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in 1884.
- // 1888He married Beatrice Godwin, the widow of his friend E. W. Godwin, in 1888. Theirs was a very happy marriage that was unfortunately cut short when his wife died of cancer. Her death shattered him and he never recovered fully from his grief.
- // 1892In 1892, he was made an officer of the Légion d'honneur in France.
- // 1898He became a charter member and first president of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers in 1898.
- // 17th Jul 1903He died in London on July 17, 1903, at the age of 69.
// Famous Cancer Celebrities peoples
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Riele Downs
Riele Downs is a Canadian-American actress & Musical.ly star. Let’s take a look at her family and personal life including age, birthday, net worth, boyfriends and fun facts.
Yammy Xox
Check out all that you wanted to know about Yammy Xox, the famous British YouTube Personality; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Kaylee Quinn
Kaylee Quinn is an American dancer, model, and actress. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, relationships, and fun facts.
Sophia Montero
Sophia Montero is an American singer and YouTuber. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, relationships, and fun facts.
Domo Wilson
Check out all that you wanted to know about Domo Wilson, the famous American Vlogger & YouTube Personality; her birthday, her family and personal life, fun trivia facts and more.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's FAQ
What is James Abbott McNeill Whistler birthday?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was born at 1834-07-11
When was James Abbott McNeill Whistler died?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was died at 1903-07-17
Where was James Abbott McNeill Whistler died?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was died in London
Which age was James Abbott McNeill Whistler died?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was died at age 69
Where is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's birth place?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was born in Lowell
What is James Abbott McNeill Whistler nationalities?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's nationalities is American
Who is James Abbott McNeill Whistler siblings?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's siblings is William Whistler
Who is James Abbott McNeill Whistler childrens?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's childrens is John Alexander
What was James Abbott McNeill Whistler universities?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler studied at United States Military Academy
Who is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's father?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's father is George Washington Whistler
Who is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's mother?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's mother is Anna McNeill Whistler
What is James Abbott McNeill Whistler's sun sign?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler is Cancer
How famous is James Abbott McNeill Whistler?
James Abbott McNeill Whistler is famouse as Painter