James McNeill Whistler: An Artist on Artists

This essay explores Whistler’s portraits of himself and other artists, considering how their general appearance, pose and dress reflects status, class, nationality, gender and profession. It is based on a ‘reading’ of visual material combined with analysis of contemporary and recent discussions. Whistler was often described as an effeminate bohemian and dandy. His alter ego as a respectable well-dressed man-about-town appealed to an upwardly mobile middle-class market. His self-image was designed to promote his work and ideas. The article examines the extent of his image-making, and whether it promoted or militated against his status and financial success