by James McNeill Whistler
For Art and Joy go together, with bold openness, and high head, and ready hand — fearing naught, and dreading no exposure.
~ James McNeill Whistler
(The Quotable Artist)
art and joy together
by James McNeill Whistler
by James McNeill Whistler
“Symphony in White #1” is beautiful! (is she standing on a fox pelt?)…
Laurie, I believe it is a wolf pelt. My sister-in-law and I saw this beautiful painting at the National Gallery of Art in DC and I bought a print of it to hang here at home. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that it was several years before I even noticed that she was standing on an animal skin. It often amazes me what the eye misses…
Hi,
Very nice, love the picture and the quote.
Thank you, Mags!
Oh, Barbara, how lovely! What medium is Whistler working in?
Hugs,
Kathy
Glad you like it, Kathy! It’s oil on canvas and stands at 84 inches tall, larger than life. Seeing it at the National Gallery of Art was one of the thrills of my life!
This is lovely, Barbara.
Thank you, Robin.
Art and Joy…both brings a sense of well being, of happiness that is pure and of inspiration that help us go through life…. Beautiful words and painting…. The woman’s face lingers like a wonderful memory….thank you and God bless you my friend….
So true that art and joy are inspiring and, in spite of the heartaches and challenges we find on this little blue planet, there is an abundance both of art and joy, enough for everyone to have a sweet sip of them. When I see a breathtaking painting in an art museum I am often awe-struck by the living energy of the artist still present in the work… So glad you stopped by, my friend!
So beautiful and what an encouragement. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Ellen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and stopped by!
This is such a beautiful painting. I had a day, about a fortnight ago, in which I spent a lot of time looking at Whistler’s paintings. Quite an artist! (Pity about his mother, though… ! 😉 )
I agree, Val. I’ve got a smaller print of it hanging in the white-on-white bedroom here at home. 🙂
I love the “Portrait of the Artist’s Mother” but, pardon my ignorance, I’m wondering about what happened to Whistler’s mother?
The wolf pelt presents such a contrast to the delicate girl in white. She is so very pale, genteel and fragile-looking, while the wolf in contrast, is powerful, wild and “untamed”. ‘course he got pretty tamed when he was killed and skinned …
Poor wolf! I agree, the contrast is striking… I still find it hard to believe I never noticed the wolf until a few years later. It must be a case of how sometimes the eye only “sees” what it expects to see!
How lovely! It must have been a wonderful experience, seeing the original, in person.
It certainly was, Colleen. I think the energy of the artist still lives in the paintings he or she leaves behind, and that surge of energy often takes my breath away…
This is so remarkable – Whistler has chosen a color, then split it into several variations like a master cutter would split a diamond.
So true, Aubrey, this symphony in white dazzles!