Ambiguity is filled with so much possibility. Perhaps why such pieces are so captivating... the possibility is deeply felt. Simplicity layered with complexity. A resonance that extends far and wide—one we can’t quite pin point!✨
I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing better in art than when a picture can be seen and “known” in a moment . . .and yet still take an entire lifetime (or more) to really understand.
Even Americans who couldn't care less about art have at least heard of and seen images of paintings like American Gothic and Whistler's Mother. It's just one of those cultural icons. The Philadelphia Museum of Art had the painting on loan in the summer of 2023 so I got to see it. The most amazing thing about this painting (to me at least) was its size. It is huge. With the frame, it has to be at least 6" high by 8" wide. I was flabbergasted as having seen images of it all my life, I just assumed it was much smaller - like in the 2' by 3' range. If it were possible, I'd upload a photo I took of it relative to a doorway and people next to it.
I agree with you, though this isn’t my favourite Whistler, and he may be underrated. But I’ve also seen it said that this was an acerbic comment on a rather distant and puritanical mother, reflected in the title. Who knows? The painting stands for itself.
Whistler’s Mother is a painting that is well known. A few things captured my attention. The little foot stool, the rouge on his mother’s cheeks. Both of these reminded me of my own mother when she was older as she did the same. I also noticed the framed painting on the wall and wondered what it was. Lastly on the curtain to the left of the framed painting is a circle. In it looks like the face of a man. Curious.
Thank you for engaging us in thinking about this painting, which is so familiar I never stop to think about it. As I do think about it now, two things strike me. First, the formal composition is striking. By bringing the color down, the deliberate placement of the compositional elements stands out—even to the placement of the pictures on the wall. He does, after all, call it “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1.” Second, this brought to mind Carl Moll’s White Interior and caused me to think how interesting it would be if these two paintings were displayed side-by-side.
Ambiguity is filled with so much possibility. Perhaps why such pieces are so captivating... the possibility is deeply felt. Simplicity layered with complexity. A resonance that extends far and wide—one we can’t quite pin point!✨
I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing better in art than when a picture can be seen and “known” in a moment . . .and yet still take an entire lifetime (or more) to really understand.
Even Americans who couldn't care less about art have at least heard of and seen images of paintings like American Gothic and Whistler's Mother. It's just one of those cultural icons. The Philadelphia Museum of Art had the painting on loan in the summer of 2023 so I got to see it. The most amazing thing about this painting (to me at least) was its size. It is huge. With the frame, it has to be at least 6" high by 8" wide. I was flabbergasted as having seen images of it all my life, I just assumed it was much smaller - like in the 2' by 3' range. If it were possible, I'd upload a photo I took of it relative to a doorway and people next to it.
I agree with you, though this isn’t my favourite Whistler, and he may be underrated. But I’ve also seen it said that this was an acerbic comment on a rather distant and puritanical mother, reflected in the title. Who knows? The painting stands for itself.
Whistler’s Mother is a painting that is well known. A few things captured my attention. The little foot stool, the rouge on his mother’s cheeks. Both of these reminded me of my own mother when she was older as she did the same. I also noticed the framed painting on the wall and wondered what it was. Lastly on the curtain to the left of the framed painting is a circle. In it looks like the face of a man. Curious.
Such a timely post! I have recently been thinking about this painting and Archibald Motley’s Portrait of my Grandmother
Thank you for engaging us in thinking about this painting, which is so familiar I never stop to think about it. As I do think about it now, two things strike me. First, the formal composition is striking. By bringing the color down, the deliberate placement of the compositional elements stands out—even to the placement of the pictures on the wall. He does, after all, call it “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1.” Second, this brought to mind Carl Moll’s White Interior and caused me to think how interesting it would be if these two paintings were displayed side-by-side.