James Abbott McNeill Whistler

James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American born artist who lived and worked most of his life in Britain. His art was soft and calm, with an almost dreamy quality to it, but his personality was quite the opposite. Many of his works were named with musical terminology, in an effort to highlight the artist’s process rather than the subject matter that was depicted. During his career he influenced two generations of other artists and became adept at a variety of mediums. Some of his best friends were John Singer Sargent, Courbet (until his girlfriend posed for a risque painting and the relationship deteriorated), Henri Fantin-Latour and Arthur Frank Matthews. His most famous painting is Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. Learn more about Whistler here.