Harmony in Pink and Grey, James McNeil Whistler

 On the surface this beautiful oil painting seems pretty straight forward.   It's full title is: Harmony in Pink and Grey, Portrait of Lady Meux, by James McNeil Whistler ((1834-1903).  It is part of the permanent collection of the Frick Collection, a fabulous museum in New York City.  It was painted between 1881-82 and measures, unframed, 76" x 37" so is very large.
   Whistler was an interesting artist.  He was an American ex-patriot who divided his time between Paris and London, eventually settling permanently in London.  He is considered a tonalist, which is a vague artistic term referring to Whistler's emphasis on studying gradations of color.   Many of his major paintings and etchings are called harmonies because he laborously worked to blend and harmonize the lights and darks of the colors, often called values.   His models had to pose for hours at a time, while he molded and sculpted their image in paint.   
   This painting is almost monochromatic.  Behind her is a drape almost the same color as her dress and the floor is a deep red/brown.  Notice the almost luminous light pink starting at her shoulder and cascading down, ending at the fluff of fabric touching the floor.  Beautiful!
   Also, notice Whistler's trademark butterfly logo on the back drape cloth.  This was an influence from Japanese prints that he adapted and made his own, instead of a signature.
  Make Art a part of your day, it's a beautiful thing to do.

Comments

  1. charguthFebruary 15, 2020 at 1:42 PM

    What a beautiful work of art! He made an exquisite painting from such a limited pallet. The rustic colored floor is repeated in the flower on her hat. The sheen on her dress is most remarkable. What a lovely, young face and figure. Standing for hours had to be a real challenge!!! But the result is stunning. Soft colors and so elegant!

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