Whistlers Motherthe popular name of the masterpiece that James Abbott McNeill Whistler

painted in 1871 and titled Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1. Anna Matilda McNeill
Whistler, who lived with her son, in London, from 1864 to 1875, sits in profile with an air of
infinite patience, gazing steadily at, apparently, nothing.He regularly preached that subject matter
should be regarded merely as a pretext for adventures in aestheticism. He said, To me it is
interesting as a picture of my mother; but what can or ought the public to care about the identity
of the portrait? At any rate, the answer to Whistlers question touches on what many have noted
is iconic about historys short list of artistic icons. The Mona Lisa, The Scream, American
Gothic, and the best of Andy Warhols Marilyns all share with the Whistler the distillation of
a meaning instantly recognized and forever inexhaustible. In this case, its the mysteries of
motherhood. Everybody has a mother, and something close to half of everybody becomes one.It
was said that the colors and pose of Whistlers mother was a symbolism of a grave sentiment of
mourning. This critique may have come from the dark colors that the artist used to create the
piece. Others view this amazing work of art as a perfect symbolism of motherhood. No matter
how many times this painting is viewed, you can be sure that it depicts a different emotion each
time. Today, Whistlers Mother has proved to be one of the most famous paintings in history.
Painted in 1871 and titled Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1., this masterpiece is wellknown by the popular name of Whistlers Mother. The artist, James Abbott McNeill Whistler
painted his mother while they were in London in 1871. Anna Matilda McNeill Whistler, who
lived with her son, in London, from 1864 to 1875, sits in profile staring at, apparently, nothing,
with an air of infinite patience. Apparently, she was a substitute when the model hired for the day
didnt show up. Therefore, James decided to do his mothers portrait. The artist tried to pose
Anna McNeill Whistler standing, but she couldnt hold the pose so he painted her seated. The
small foot stool became an accent in the composition. In this painting, Whistler expresses his
style through the color range used. Subliminal tones of reds and blues underlie areas of the
silver-gray wall behind her, contributing to the harmony of this artwork. The portrait is
dominated by greys and black and the traces of warm and cool variation could only reveal
themselves with close examination. The face and the hands will jump to life by contrast. At first
glance the painting seems to be simple. However, upon closer inspection the artwork indeed
portrays a balance between the different shapes in the picture. The masterpiece had different
meanings and interpretations throughout time. It was said that the colors and pose of Whistlers
mother were a symbolism of a grave sentiment of mourning. This critique may have come
from the dark colors that the artist used to create the piece. Others view this painting as a perfect
symbolism of motherhood. However, the artist himself has mentioned that his painting is nothing
but a representation of his mother-To me it is interesting as a picture of my mother; but what
can or ought the public to care about the identity of the portrait?. I believe this is the reason why
he entitles the artwork Arrangement in Grey and Black and not Whistlers Mother, the
popular name most people use.