An examination of the so-called "Whistler's Mother" (painter, paintings, artist)

[Cida]

The mysteries of “Whistler’s Mother.”
By Peter Schjeldahl

Why Is

I never thought about it, but he's right, of course - there's no signaling, no personality.

[banjomike]

There's always a time when the artist is a lot more concerned about the technique than the subject matter.

Whistler's color techniques didn't lend themselves very well to a lot of subjects, and by the time of the painting, he had made a good reputation and a good career as a portrait painter.

Painting a deeply experimental painter of his mother was a good choice of subject matter. He was already comfortable painting portraits, so capturing a likeness didn't distract his mind and freed him to concentrate most on what he wanted to concentrate on. And if Mom didn't like it, big deal. It's not like he was going to lose any money on it through client displeasure.

At the same time, if the painting succeeded, it would be a good example for prospective clients, as Mom was living there and was easily seen. The new client could possibly see his wife or child portrayed in the same radical style.

There's always the radical going on in art, and there are always customers for it. Whistler simply succeeded in more levels than what he intended when viewers were touched by the humanity he painted into his mother's picture. It was something that could touch any viewer at emotional levels Whistler may not have felt or intended to be important.

She could have been anything- an interesting rock, a muted collection of objects to make a still life, anything. Whistler just wanted to mess around with his paint, but if he came up with a good painting that was sale ready, all the better.

And it was all the better. For him, as he sold it well, and for the millions of folks who have enjoyed it so much for so long afterward. It can be enjoyed as he intended, or not, as a more sentimental piece. It doesn't matter at all to either Whistler or his mother now, and good paintings are like that. We come in and take away what we will with them all.

When I first saw a picture of the painting, I was impressed by the composition more than the resigned, aging tenderness of the lady. But I was young then, and not nearly as sentimental as I am now. Both are equally strong in the work.

[MyNameIsBellaMia]

It's an interesting painting. The lady is certainly out of proportion. He certainly has produced better work, but still, I would put his Mum on my wall.