Whistler: Influences, Friends and the Not-So-Friendly
A new exhibition of prints from the Toledo Museum of Art’s collection spotlights the work of iconic American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903).
Although perhaps more popularly known today as a painter, Whistler was a master of the etched line. Whistler: Influences, Friends and the Not-So-Friendly, on view Feb. 26 through May 30, 2010 in the Museum’s Works on Paper Galleries, provides a comparison of the great American artist with his contemporaries as well as a look at what influenced his work.
As a printmaker, Whistler’s name is often linked with Rembrandt’s as the artist who, 200 years later, further explored and refined the beauty of the etched line. The artist spent most of his life in London, and was greatly influenced by that city as well as by Paris. He proved to be an innovative, master craftsman with few peers, then or now.
Tom Loeffler, the Museum’s assistant curator of works on paper, says Whistler himself never drew a distinction between his efforts as a painter and his work as a printmaker.
“His entire life was an involved mixture of art, entertainment, sharp wit, impetuous temper, dandyism, imagined offenses, egoism and self-doubt, calculation and genius,” Loeffler says. “It is hard to present his etchings and lithographs without considering his paintings and complex personality.”
Whistler etched, rather than painted, when his finances were in trouble because he was more successful in selling his etchings, Loeffler notes. “One reason we have his Venice prints is because he needed to raise money and he stayed in Venice longer than he originally intended to work,” Loeffler says.
The skilled craftsman also was “a master of the gentle art of making enemies.” To fully understand Whistler’s work, the viewer must consider the impact of the people–both friends and those he alienated–around him. This new exhibition of approximately 120 works enables us to do just that.
Along with more than 60 prints by Whistler, the Toledo exhibition will feature works by Henri Fantin-Latour (French, 1836-1904), Sir Francis Seymour Haden (British, 1818-1910), Charles Émile Jacque (French, 1813-1894), Alphonse Legros (French, 1837-1911), Charles Meryon (French, 1821-1868) and Joseph Pennell (American, 1860-1926).
The Whistler exhibition is made possible with the support of Museum members and the Ohio Arts Council’s sustainable grant program that encourages economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
EXHIBITION ADMISSION & DATES
Admission to Whistler: Influences, Friends and the Not-So-Friendly and to the Toledo Museum of Art is free. The exhibition is on display Feb. 26-May 30, 2010 in the Works on Paper Galleries.
WORKSHOP
Watercolor Workshop: Warm Up with Whistler
Saturday, March 21, 2010
1–4 p.m.
Explore the Museum’s special exhibition Whistler: Influences, Friends and the Not-So-Friendly to learn more about this artist and his works of art. Find out about Whistler’s sharp wit, impetuous temper and artistic genius. In the studio learn to create quick impressions or simple color studies. Includes supplies and a light snack. The workshop, taught by Paul Brand, continues the following Sunday (March 28). Reservations ($80 members/$90 nonmembers) required. Call 419-254-5080 or register online at www.toledomuseum.org.
FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM
Hands-on: Whistler Watercolors
Sunday, April 11, 2010
2–4 p.m., Libbey Court
Using the Whistler exhibition for inspiration, decorate a wooden bead with watercolors and add to the Bead Goes On community art project.
FREE FAMILY CENTER ACTIVITIES
Whistler Watercolors!
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010: Noon to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 4, 2010: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
See works of art in the Whistler exhibition and try your hand at watercolors.
Note to Media: Images of works in this exhibition are available by contacting Teri Sharp, public relations manager, at [email protected] or 419-245-8000, ext. 7301.
Admission to the Museum is free. The Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.; Sunday, Noon-6 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays. Friday evening hours are made possible by Fifth Third Bank.
The Museum is located at 2445 Monroe Street at Scottwood Avenue, just west of the downtown business district and one block off I-75 with exit designations posted. For general information, visitors can call 419-255-8000 or 800-644-6862, or visit www.toledomuseum.org.
Press Release Contact Name: Kelly Fritz Garrow
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Toledo Museum of Art