New book 'Whistler's Legacy' seeks to correct myths about the enigmatic artist
A new book by historian Daniel Sutherland aims to dispel myths surrounding James McNeill Whistler. Sutherland, author of a 2014 biography, critiques early biographers Joseph and Elizabeth Pennell for factual errors and doctored interviews. He also defends Whistler against charges of being a publicity-seeking dandy, arguing he courted controversy for art's sake, as in his libel suit against John Ruskin. The book's central chapter examines the science behind Whistler's nocturnes, showing how he captured polluted London skies. Sutherland lambasts uninformed critics and art historians. A major Whistler exhibition recently opened at Tate Britain. Published by Penn State University Press, 274pp, $42.99.
Key facts
- Daniel Sutherland's 'Whistler's Legacy' published 5 May by Penn State University Press
- Sutherland critiques early biographers Joseph and Elizabeth Pennell for factual errors and doctored interviews
- Whistler sued John Ruskin for libel after Ruskin called his painting a 'pot of paint'
- Whistler's personal emblem was a butterfly with a stinger
- Whistler attended West Point military academy in the 1850s
- A major Whistler exhibition recently opened at Tate Britain
- The book's central chapter focuses on the science behind Whistler's nocturnes
- Whistler's illegitimate son Charles was omitted from his will
Entities
Artists
- James McNeill Whistler
- Edgar Degas
- Pablo de Sarasate
- John Ruskin
- John Cleese
- Joseph Pennell
- Elizabeth Pennell
- Rosalind Birnie Philip
- Charles Whistler
Institutions
- University of Arkansas
- Tate Britain
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Penn State University Press
- US Postal Service
- Monty Python's Flying Circus
Locations
- Lowell
- Massachusetts
- United States
- Europe
- Venice
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- West Point
- New York