James McNeill Whistler: Beyond the Myth
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
James McNeill Whistler: Beyond the Myth Details
From Publishers Weekly Born in Mass., raised partly in St. Petersburg, Russia, where his father was a railway engineer, American painter James McNeill Whistler settled in Paris in 1855, then in 1859 in London, where he cultivated the image of an irascible dandy and lone genius. This persona, in the authors' view, obscures his pivotal role as a bridge between the British and French art scenes, between traditional art and modernism. In this robust biography, Whistler's relations with Degas, Monet, Manet, Mallarme, John Singer Sargent, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Ruskin and others are the matrix for his 30-year battle with the British art establishment. Whistler (1839-1903) comes across as vain, insecure, caddish and cantankerous but also generous and sympathetic. After a string of mistresses whom he dominated, he finally found true love, marrying Beatrice Godwin in 1888. Her agonizing death from cervical cancer eight years later drove him to the verge of a mental breakdown. Anderson and Koval are English art historians. Illustrated. 25,000 first printing; $20,000 ad/promo. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more From Library Journal Of the making of Whistler books there is no end, or so it seems this year. No fewer than six new Whistler titles have appeared by design or coincidentally with major Whistler shows at the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.) and elsewhere. Here, independent Whistler scholars Anderson and Koval systematically debunk the myths surrounding Whistler's life and work (e.g., the importance of Whistler's American roots), which were spawned by Joseph and Elizabeth Robbin Pennell's sympathetic 1908 biography, The Life of James McNeill Whistler (A.M.S. Pr.). That task aside, they present a well-written, definitive account of the artist, who nonetheless remains an enigma. The book begs for a careful read with frequent sallies forth to the notes and incredibly detailed index, but readers will be rewarded with a thorough understanding of Whistler's noteworthy contributions to the fine and allied arts of the latter 19th and early 20th centuries (his mother's all-too-famous portrait notwithstanding). Strongly recommended for all collections.P. Steven Thomas, Illinois State Univ., NormalCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more
Reviews
I gained a new respect for Whistler as a person and artist from reading this book. The book examines the life that carved out a maverick in a hostile art world that did not welcome change. My pre-reading belief was thathe was a pompous dandy. After reading I revere him. At times a lion, at times insecure but always fascinating. A well written progression from family background, education and through his ascension as a major player and respected artist. It held my attention and painted a clear picture of his uncompromising beliefs and influence on different media. His battles and lawsuits are delineated: From Ruskin's libelous insult, to Leyland's "Peacock room" suit (He left Whistler unsupervised to paint a room in his house-Ha-Ha!!), bruising Sickert's ego at the Pennell trial, and suing to stop his own letters from being published without his consent. He was beaten--ripped off, loved and hated by some of the greatest names of his time-Baudelaire. artists, critics, It would take pages just to name them all, but names are well indexed at the end for ease of locating a particular person of interest. The exhibitions are not only named and dated, but described so you feel like you are a visitor.His wit rivals Wilde and lends humor throughout the book keeping the feeling light. I chuckled at the scenario of Whistlers Mom (Yes, THAT Whistler's mother) arriving with little notice sending her bachelor son into a frenzy to "purge" the house top to bottom before she walked in. Of course into each life, some rain must fall, so there are some sad parts.There 14 pages of photos of the significant people in his life and 8 pages of some of his best paintings.Really left a big impression on me.