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Whistler's Mother: Portrait of an Extraordinary Life
Discover the extraordinary woman behind one of the most famous images of motherhood in Western art
Judged by the portrait Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1 (1871), painted by her son James McNeill Whistler, Anna Whistler (1804–1881) appears to have been a pious, unassuming, domestic woman. This characterization, however, is far from the whole truth. Anna was born in the slaveholding South, raised principally in Brooklyn, New York, and resided for many years in both Russia and Great Britain, and her life was filled with adventure and excitement. The authors’ unprecedented use of her private diaries and correspondence results in a crisp biographical rendering that reveals a resilient, vibrant, bright, and deeply engaged woman. In her writings, Anna made shrewd observations about the social, cultural, artistic, and political issues of her era, which was one of enormous and near-constant change. She knew and interacted with an astonishing array of people, from Russian peasants and American farmers to Robert E. Lee and Giuseppe Mazzini. She also raised one of the finest artists of the nineteenth century. As her son made his way in the art world, Anna became his unofficial agent, promoting his work, managing his finances, and advising him on the best opportunities for success. That he, in turn, should immortalize her as a global celebrity and international icon of motherhood was only appropriate.
Judged by the portrait Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1 (1871), painted by her son James McNeill Whistler, Anna Whistler (1804–1881) appears to have been a pious, unassuming, domestic woman. This characterization, however, is far from the whole truth. Anna was born in the slaveholding South, raised principally in Brooklyn, New York, and resided for many years in both Russia and Great Britain, and her life was filled with adventure and excitement. The authors’ unprecedented use of her private diaries and correspondence results in a crisp biographical rendering that reveals a resilient, vibrant, bright, and deeply engaged woman. In her writings, Anna made shrewd observations about the social, cultural, artistic, and political issues of her era, which was one of enormous and near-constant change. She knew and interacted with an astonishing array of people, from Russian peasants and American farmers to Robert E. Lee and Giuseppe Mazzini. She also raised one of the finest artists of the nineteenth century. As her son made his way in the art world, Anna became his unofficial agent, promoting his work, managing his finances, and advising him on the best opportunities for success. That he, in turn, should immortalize her as a global celebrity and international icon of motherhood was only appropriate.
254 pages, Hardcover
Published March 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2018
Whistler’s iconic portrait of his mother has become instantly recognisable, and this well-researched and eminently readable biography brings to life the rather dour and severe looking woman portrayed in it. She may look austere and passive in her black clothes but she was anything but, being lively, adventurous, independent and well-travelled, as Donald Sutherland explains. Very involved in her son’s artistic success she was a constant presence in his life, if an often indulgent one. The last chapter of the book explores the legacy of the portrait and how it has become part of the wider culture, being copied, caricatured and referenced in many diverse and imaginative ways. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Anna McNeil Whistler, and found this biography both absorbing and informative.
February 3, 2018
Whistler's Mother by by Daniel E. Sutherland and Georgia Toutziari relates the life of Anna McNeil Whistler (1804-1881) , immortalized by her son James McNeil Whistler in his 1871 portrait Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1--commonly referred to as Whistler's Mother.
Detailed information gleaned from Anna's diaries and letters, as well as previous biographies, show that she lived a more interesting life than her Victorian apparel and demure pose in the painting would indicate. She was a well-traveled woman with a wide, international social network.
She held Confederate-leaning sensibilities along with Christian pietism while exemplifying Christian values; she socialized with Russian peasants and her son's Pre-Raphaelite friends and distributed church pamphlets.
A pious Episcopalian, Anna was born in the American South among slave owners but was raised in the North. Sixteen-year-old Anna was quite taken with her brother's handsome friend from West Point, George Washington Whistler, but he married another. After the early death of his wife, George and Anna met again. They married and Anna helped raise his children from his first marriage as well as their own children. George became America's leading engineer--who gave the locomotive it's whistle! His work meant frequent moves, including to Britain and St. Petersburg.
Anna endeavored to embody Christian virtues of reverence, charity, and patience in her daily life. She warned her children against the vanities of the world. And yet, she accepted slavery as a "benevolent" institution. Her own family were kind toward their slaves, and one member had several slave 'wives' and families that were well provided for.
Even after the death of her husband, Anna was always on the move, visiting family across America and the Continent. Her sons Willie and 'Jemmie' (John McNeil Whistler) were a 'handful.' Willie finally settled on a career in medicine and Jemmie in art.
Anna made friends everywhere whether participating in charitable activities or dining with Bohemian artists. Through Jemmie she met Mazzini, Garibaldi, the Rossettis, and Swinburne. Thankfully, she was ignorant of some things, such as Jemmie's long-term association with a mistress.
The place of the painting in art history and its reception over time is presented. Whistler's work was too modern for his time. He endeavored to move away from the Victorian preference for art that told a story, a moral, or to convey emotion.
"Art should be independent of all clap-trap--should stand alone, and appeal to the artistic sense of eye or ear, without confounding this with emotions entirely foreign to it, as devotion, pity, love, patriotism, and the like,"he later told a journalist..."Take the picture of my mother...Arrangement in Grey and Black. Now that is what it is."
The painting we know as Whistler's Mother became famous in America in the early 20th c. In the 1930s it toured the country, drawing two million viewers. President Roosevelt endorsed the use of the painting in a stamp to commemorate Mother's Day.
The painting became one of the most iconic and popularly known in America. Cole Porter and other songwriters referenced the painting in popular music. It was exploited in cartoons, satire, and became a symbol in movies and literature.
It is amazing how much Anna packed into her lifetime.
This is a scholarly, academic book which I would recommend to art scholars or students of 19th c social/women's history.
I received a free e-book from the publisher though NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Detailed information gleaned from Anna's diaries and letters, as well as previous biographies, show that she lived a more interesting life than her Victorian apparel and demure pose in the painting would indicate. She was a well-traveled woman with a wide, international social network.
She held Confederate-leaning sensibilities along with Christian pietism while exemplifying Christian values; she socialized with Russian peasants and her son's Pre-Raphaelite friends and distributed church pamphlets.
A pious Episcopalian, Anna was born in the American South among slave owners but was raised in the North. Sixteen-year-old Anna was quite taken with her brother's handsome friend from West Point, George Washington Whistler, but he married another. After the early death of his wife, George and Anna met again. They married and Anna helped raise his children from his first marriage as well as their own children. George became America's leading engineer--who gave the locomotive it's whistle! His work meant frequent moves, including to Britain and St. Petersburg.
Anna endeavored to embody Christian virtues of reverence, charity, and patience in her daily life. She warned her children against the vanities of the world. And yet, she accepted slavery as a "benevolent" institution. Her own family were kind toward their slaves, and one member had several slave 'wives' and families that were well provided for.
Even after the death of her husband, Anna was always on the move, visiting family across America and the Continent. Her sons Willie and 'Jemmie' (John McNeil Whistler) were a 'handful.' Willie finally settled on a career in medicine and Jemmie in art.
Anna made friends everywhere whether participating in charitable activities or dining with Bohemian artists. Through Jemmie she met Mazzini, Garibaldi, the Rossettis, and Swinburne. Thankfully, she was ignorant of some things, such as Jemmie's long-term association with a mistress.
The place of the painting in art history and its reception over time is presented. Whistler's work was too modern for his time. He endeavored to move away from the Victorian preference for art that told a story, a moral, or to convey emotion.
"Art should be independent of all clap-trap--should stand alone, and appeal to the artistic sense of eye or ear, without confounding this with emotions entirely foreign to it, as devotion, pity, love, patriotism, and the like,"he later told a journalist..."Take the picture of my mother...Arrangement in Grey and Black. Now that is what it is."
The painting we know as Whistler's Mother became famous in America in the early 20th c. In the 1930s it toured the country, drawing two million viewers. President Roosevelt endorsed the use of the painting in a stamp to commemorate Mother's Day.
The painting became one of the most iconic and popularly known in America. Cole Porter and other songwriters referenced the painting in popular music. It was exploited in cartoons, satire, and became a symbol in movies and literature.
It is amazing how much Anna packed into her lifetime.
This is a scholarly, academic book which I would recommend to art scholars or students of 19th c social/women's history.
I received a free e-book from the publisher though NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
January 10, 2018
I tend not to read many biographies but this was a good one. I got a copy of this book from Netgalley, coincidentally just a few days after seeing the painting of Whistler’s Mother for the second time.
I didn’t really know much about the painting and definitely didn’t know about the subject of the painting - Anna Whistler. This biography charts the course of Anna Whistler’s life, starting from how her parents’ met and married, right up to Anna’s death.
For a woman living in the 19th century, Anna Whistler was incredibly well-traveled, around America, Britain and Russia. She made several long voyages by sea and made it safely each time, an achievement in itself in those days.
She was also well-read, intelligent and surprisingly charitable, a notion arising from her religious beliefs.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this biography but the writers have painted an exceptional portrait (pardon the pun) of a woman who was much more remarkable than she initially appeared.
The writers manage to include drama and intrigue within what is essentially the daily life of a homemaker. Using excerpts from her journals and notes culled from sources who had known her, the writers give us a wholesome look at her atypical family life and her inner thoughts.
I went into this book knowing nothing about the subject of this famous painting; I have come away more knowledgeable, not just about the person Anna Whistler was, but also about the people and events around her. Through Anna’s story, the writers share the history of the countries she called home. We also get to learn about Anna’s family; her supportive husband and the emergence of the railway industry, where he worked most of his life; her step-children and her sons, the painter Jemie, and the doctor Willie.
For such a short book, it packs in a great deal along with Anna’s life. The writing is simple but engaging enough to keep you reading. The text sometimes veers too close to reverential of its subject but manages to recover just as often.
I’m glad I read this book and am thrilled to have learnt the history of this painting. It’s made the painting really come alive for me.
I didn’t really know much about the painting and definitely didn’t know about the subject of the painting - Anna Whistler. This biography charts the course of Anna Whistler’s life, starting from how her parents’ met and married, right up to Anna’s death.
For a woman living in the 19th century, Anna Whistler was incredibly well-traveled, around America, Britain and Russia. She made several long voyages by sea and made it safely each time, an achievement in itself in those days.
She was also well-read, intelligent and surprisingly charitable, a notion arising from her religious beliefs.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this biography but the writers have painted an exceptional portrait (pardon the pun) of a woman who was much more remarkable than she initially appeared.
The writers manage to include drama and intrigue within what is essentially the daily life of a homemaker. Using excerpts from her journals and notes culled from sources who had known her, the writers give us a wholesome look at her atypical family life and her inner thoughts.
I went into this book knowing nothing about the subject of this famous painting; I have come away more knowledgeable, not just about the person Anna Whistler was, but also about the people and events around her. Through Anna’s story, the writers share the history of the countries she called home. We also get to learn about Anna’s family; her supportive husband and the emergence of the railway industry, where he worked most of his life; her step-children and her sons, the painter Jemie, and the doctor Willie.
For such a short book, it packs in a great deal along with Anna’s life. The writing is simple but engaging enough to keep you reading. The text sometimes veers too close to reverential of its subject but manages to recover just as often.
I’m glad I read this book and am thrilled to have learnt the history of this painting. It’s made the painting really come alive for me.
February 5, 2022
There are so many iconic portraits. Who has looked at the Mona Lisa without imagining the life of its subject? I think that the same can be said of the woman in Whistler’s most famous work, his mother.
Looking at the portrait can lead observers (it certainly was true of me!) to wonder who this woman was and what her relationship with her son looked like. To me, Whistler’s mother appears to be someone who seeks equanimity but may or may not have found it. What do you see?
This book allows one to stop guessing and to get to know Mrs. Whistler. She did so much more than sit (passively) for a portrait. Anna, who was born in the slave holding South, went on to live or travel to many places, including Brooklyn, New York and parts of Europe. Her life was a full and interesting one. Learn more about her in this biography.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Looking at the portrait can lead observers (it certainly was true of me!) to wonder who this woman was and what her relationship with her son looked like. To me, Whistler’s mother appears to be someone who seeks equanimity but may or may not have found it. What do you see?
This book allows one to stop guessing and to get to know Mrs. Whistler. She did so much more than sit (passively) for a portrait. Anna, who was born in the slave holding South, went on to live or travel to many places, including Brooklyn, New York and parts of Europe. Her life was a full and interesting one. Learn more about her in this biography.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 2, 2018
Unfortunately I didn't finish this book. To !e it read more like a research paper versus a novel. I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews