Whistler Masterpieces from the Frick Collection Travel to Musée d'Orsay

The Frick Collection in New York has loaned works by James McNeill Whistler to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris for the exhibition 'James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), Chefs-d'œuvre de la Frick Collection, New York'. This marks the first time these works have left the United States. The loan was prompted by the closure of the Frick's Fifth Avenue building for renovations; its collection has temporarily moved to the Frick Madison, the former Met Breuer building designed by Marcel Breuer in 1966. The exhibition occupies a single room at the Musée d'Orsay and runs until May 8, 2022. Highlights include Whistler's portrait of his mother, 'Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1' (1871), from the Musée d'Orsay's own collection, juxtaposed with the Frick's 'Portrait of Mrs. Frances Leyland' (1871-74) and 'Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac' (1891-92). The show also features Whistler's Venetian drawings, revealing his fascination with the city and his psychological insight into his subjects. Whistler's Japanese influences are evident in motifs such as almond branches and the black backgrounds reminiscent of Japanese prints. His signature butterfly emblem appears on several works. The exhibition is curated by Asia Ruffo di Calabria.