Whistler and Nature

This exhibition reveals new research into the influence of industry, the military and historical revivalism on one of the greatest artists of the nineteenth century, through his depictions of natural and industrial landscapes. James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) was an American artist who lived most of his life in the UK. He was known for his innovative artistic style and bold personality, with a reputation for verbal and legal retaliations against those with whom he had quarrelled (like his famous 1878 libel case against the critic, John Ruskin). Through this display of paintings, sketches, prints and documentary material, we will examine how his family background in early 19th century industry, and youthful education for a future career in the US military shaped his knowledge of observational drawing and influenced his artistic style. It also looks afresh at his work in the context of attitudes to landscape in British art and design since the late 18th century, shaped by classical revivalism and a thirst for landscape improvement. Whistler's smoky images of warehouses, harbours and industrial scenes were designed to showcase a new kind of productive, wealth-generating landscape for the modern Victorian age. 'Whistler and Nature' is a collaboration between The Hunterian and Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park, Warwickshire. It will tour two other UK venues, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle in Spring 2019, before returning to Gl\asgow for a final showing at The Hunterian in early 2020. The exhibition was conceived and is curated by Dr Patricia de Montfort. She is also lead author of the accompanying publication, 'Whistler and Nature' London: Paul Holberton Publishing 2018 (in press, see separate entry)