The World of Arts
Whistler: Prince among men -Part II
Gwen Herat
All the luxuries Whistler's father provided came to an end when he
died in 1849 very suddenly and Whistler's affluent lifestyle faded away.
With his studies put on hold, Whistler enrolled at West Point to
commence military career bowing to his mother's wishes. But the young
Whistler didn't abandon his studies as be embarked on an artistic
career, after leaving West Point.
He made a number of emotional drawings after his wife died of a
prolonged illness, in 1896. It was during this time that Whistler lost
his cool and often quarrelled with his associates and friends, some
resulting in litigation. But Whistler's last years were weighed with
official honours from the Continent but he was sad and dejected that
this paintings failed to be recognised at any institution in the United
Kingdom, especially with the Glasgow City Art Gallery. The final decade
of his life was miserable with a growing sense of isolation. He died a
sad man on July 17, 1905 and was buried beside his wife in Chiswick
Cemetery.
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The Artiste’s Mother popularly known as Whistler’s Mother |
His Distinctive Art Whistler was one artist who paid minute attention
in colour combinations, mostly sombre and pale. Then suddenly, they lit
up in glorious arabesque colours. But these two ideals were never mixed
nor done to compliment each other. His limitation was his asset.
His paintings are characterised by clear defined, strong light source
and stylistic features. He was fascinated with the morning light when he
could paint patterns and animate shadows rather than being
monochromatic. He found it easy to use white as the dominant colour in
'morning' pictures. Whistler refused to exploit the potentially
sentimental qualities of his favourite subject..... beautiful women. He
garbed them in white most of the time and it became his signature. He
was great and smart at 'visual music' when he painted symphonies when
musicians were playing them live. He modulated notes with the brush and
expected us to find musical strains in them.
Was he eccentric or was he genius?
Whistler achieved convincing evocation of beauty and stillness with
apparent ease when he took the palate outdoors. The serene sceneries
glimmered mysteriously as he put them on canvas. To him, the sea had a
rich creamy white at her waves that dashed on the golden sand. Like
music notations, rhythm and colour burst out at centrepoint as his brush
swept across the canvas. Sometimes, he would pick his brush and start
painting an object that was not in his mind and slowly watch it taking a
fluid turn into being a masterpiece. Then, he would take few steps and
gaze and gaze long enough to give it a name. He marvelled the critics
and the art world.
So, was he eccentric or a genius?
He was successful in portraiture and often produced visual
documentations of psychological insight. He certainly displayed an
artistic power of a creator of exquisite balance. With his unifying
effect in composition, he always strove to create an aura in harmony.
Whistler's ability to use colour descriptively in rapid gestural
movements minimised the brush strokes. He was able to impart a final
image of freshness to his selected paintings. His painting innovation
was dictated from within his spirit and in the courage of the artist in
breaking new ground.
Whistler was an avant-garde artist and had he lived longer than his
short life, he would have blazed the 19th century as no other artist
did.
So, was he eccentric or genius? |
