Page 20 - whistler

Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid Whistler

Further Reading on Whistler

Whistler was an interesting character who was known as being flashy and contentious. Of
“Nocturne in Black and Gold,” the art critic John Ruskin said, “For Mr. Whistler's own sake, no less

than for the protection of the purchaser, Sir Coutts Lindsay ought not to have admitted works into

the gallery in which the ill-educated conceit of the artist so nearly approached the aspect of wilful
imposture. I have seen, and heard, much of cockney impudence before now; but never expected to

hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face.”

For this scathing remark, Whistler sued Ruskin for libel and was awarded “1 farthing” in damages. If
you’d like to read more about the court case as well as an (unauthorized) collection of letters and

writings by Whistler compiled in 1890, Project Gutenberg has an amusing little tome here:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24650

If you’d like to read more about his life in general, Gutenberg also has The Life of James McNeill

Whistler, written in 1909 by Elizabeth Robins Pennell and Joseph Pennell:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47363

For children, the James McNeill Whistler book from the Getting to Know the World’s Greatest

Artists collection is useful. The cartoons are somewhat twaddle-y, but the information is good
nonetheless:

http://a.co/ioVrowq

ahumbleplace.com ❦ Page 20 of 24