James McNeill Whistler (1834 - 1903) is still considered one of the most important artists of the 19th century, renowned worldwide for his varied and skillfull compositions, which changed the world of painting in his time. A printer, printmaker, painter and draftsman, Whistler was by all means a model for younger artists. The National Gallery of Australia will be presenting, starting on the first of September, an exhibition dedicated to an important phase in Whistler's career - printmaking. The curators will present over 90 prints, from the museum's own rich collection of Whistler works, presenting the importance that the artist had as a printmaker, from the 1850's to the turn of the century.
Born in the USA, in 1834, James McNeill Whistler would later become a major figure in the European art of the 19th century, beginning his career in Paris, where he was a friend of Manet and Baudelaire. Influenced primarily by the French Realism, as well as by Rembrandt and the Dutch artists, he became interested in printmaking. His first major series was made of 12 etchings, mainly figure studies and village scenes, followed by another important series of 16 etchings, depicting the Thames and it's surroundings. After a long and expensive legal procedeeding against the famed aesthetician John Ruskin, who had criticised in harsh terms Whistler's style, the artist found himself in a troublesome financial crisis. Although he had won the trial, the sum paid as damages was meager and the lawyer's fee humoungous. So Whistler had to sell some works as quickly as he could, and the best bet were still the litographs. He left for Venice, where he received a commission for making etching with views of the city. His unusual and personal manner were successful and in great demand.
At that time Whistler was also profoundly influenced by the Japanese tradition of the ukiyo-e woodblock prints, an interest that is visible in his strange viewpoints, subjects and drawings. Also, the fascination for the Venetian masters gave birth to a style marked by almost Impressionist elements.
2007-08-13
