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Whistler: A Life for Art's Sake
A major new biography of James McNeill Whistler, one of most complex, intriguing, and important of America’s artists
This engaging personal history dispels the popular notion of James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) as merely a combative, eccentric, and unrelenting publicity seeker. The Whistler revealed in these beautifully illustrated pages is an intense, introspective, and complex man, plagued by self-doubt and haunted by an endless pursuit of perfection in his painting and drawing.
“[Sutherland] seeks to get behind the public Whistler . . . never judging or condescending to his subject. . . . The portrait of Whistler that emerges is complex and mysterious . . . a measured and scholarly account of an extraordinary life.”—Ruth Scurr, Wall Street Journal
“The first comprehensive biography of Whistler in at least a generation. . . . Sutherland skillfully captures Whistler’s ambition, tenacity, and insecurity and presents his life in a narrative that does justice to both his triumphs and his failures.”—Eleanor Jones Harvey, American Scholar
This engaging personal history dispels the popular notion of James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) as merely a combative, eccentric, and unrelenting publicity seeker. The Whistler revealed in these beautifully illustrated pages is an intense, introspective, and complex man, plagued by self-doubt and haunted by an endless pursuit of perfection in his painting and drawing.
“[Sutherland] seeks to get behind the public Whistler . . . never judging or condescending to his subject. . . . The portrait of Whistler that emerges is complex and mysterious . . . a measured and scholarly account of an extraordinary life.”—Ruth Scurr, Wall Street Journal
“The first comprehensive biography of Whistler in at least a generation. . . . Sutherland skillfully captures Whistler’s ambition, tenacity, and insecurity and presents his life in a narrative that does justice to both his triumphs and his failures.”—Eleanor Jones Harvey, American Scholar
510 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 20, 2022
I did not know much about Whistler before reading this book, and now I feel like I knew him. Whistler appears to be one of the bad boys of the art world. This biography showed all sides of Whistler from his confrontational side to his more sensitive side. Full of interesting stories and blocks of pages with illustrations throughout the book to refer to. I enjoyed the many quotes from Whistler and his contemporaries. This is a well researched story about a fascinating artist!
July 28, 2023
A tart-tongued butterfly, James Abbott McNeill Whistler was a gifted, cosmopolitan artist whose works were far in advance of their time … Sutherland’s detailed biography reveals how his art finally transcended its critics and became accepted and valued … riveting …
February 13, 2018
I couldn't get into this book.
December 2, 2024
A good biography that emphasizes Whistler's growth as a artist as well as his influence. Because he was so flamboyant, it is also a good look at the Edwardian artistic scene. Good illustrations.
April 10, 2025
i can’t finish this book i’m afraid. i’ve tried. i got up to page 290. the writing is good and the art is beautiful but it’s just too boring
March 19, 2014
It’s difficult to define exactly what marks out a good biography from a bad or boring one, but you can usually tell within pages what sort any particular one is going to be. And this new and detailed biography of James McNeill Whistler is certainly one of the best biographies I have read for a while. I was hooked from the start. Meticulously researched, it’s a traditional cradle to grave account of Whistler’s life and a detailed and thorough examination of the work. The first biography of this most complex and intriguing artist for more than 20 years, it describes the man with all his faults and foibles as well as his genius, and expounds on his art in an accessible and comprehensive way. A pivotal figure in the art world, his influence was wide and far-reaching, an aspect of his career that Sutherland explains with understanding and perception. The book is clearly and succinctly written, intelligent and serious but also immensely entertaining and readable.
Sadly for me the e-book that I received for review from NetGalley didn’t have any illustrations, so I can’t comment on that aspect of the book, but I understand that there are over a 100 of them, and I look forward to seeing a hard-copy of the book to enhance my reading. However, even without illustrations I found this a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read, and felt that Sutherland really brings Whistler, his family, friends – and enemies – to life in a perceptive and thoughtful manner.
Sadly for me the e-book that I received for review from NetGalley didn’t have any illustrations, so I can’t comment on that aspect of the book, but I understand that there are over a 100 of them, and I look forward to seeing a hard-copy of the book to enhance my reading. However, even without illustrations I found this a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read, and felt that Sutherland really brings Whistler, his family, friends – and enemies – to life in a perceptive and thoughtful manner.
July 13, 2014
ARC provided by NetGalley
Everyone has heard or seen of the work “Whistler’s Mother,” but how many people know who Whistler is? In the first biography on James McNeill Whistler in more than twenty years, Daniel Sutherland presents a more complex version of Whistler than previously seen by making extensive use of Whistler’s private correspondence. Sutherland reveals an artist that an intense and complex individual, often plagued by self-doubt, but who was still one of the most influential artists of his time period. Sutherland gives a much fuller picture of Whistler than we have perhaps previously known about and one that is well illustrated and readable. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Everyone has heard or seen of the work “Whistler’s Mother,” but how many people know who Whistler is? In the first biography on James McNeill Whistler in more than twenty years, Daniel Sutherland presents a more complex version of Whistler than previously seen by making extensive use of Whistler’s private correspondence. Sutherland reveals an artist that an intense and complex individual, often plagued by self-doubt, but who was still one of the most influential artists of his time period. Sutherland gives a much fuller picture of Whistler than we have perhaps previously known about and one that is well illustrated and readable. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
August 25, 2014
Certainly a myth buster in terms of personal failings most notably prejudices, however not surprised to see that his perception of woman as superior artistically and more interesting than men to boot. The delicacy he was so enamored with is one element making it easy for me to be in sympathy with his work.
April 22, 2014
Exhaustive biography of Whistler -- anything you want to know about him is here. Sometimes a little dry. Beautiful and copious illustrations.
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April 16, 2015I could not make it through this book. The descriptions of the art were good but most of the book was mostly tedious accounts of his social life. It was a chore to get through.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews