Whistler: A Life for Art's Sake - Hardcover

Sutherland, Daniel E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300203462 ISBN 13: 9780300203462

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2014

Synopsis

A major new biography of James McNeill Whistler, one of most complex, intriguing, and important of America's artists The first biography in more than twenty years of James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) is also the first to make extensive use of the artist's private correspondence to tell the story of his life and work. This engaging personal history dispels the popular notion of Whistler as merely a combative, eccentric, and unrelenting publicity seeker, a man as renowned for his public feuds with Oscar Wilde and John Ruskin as for the iconic portrait of his mother. The Whistler revealed in these pages is an intense, introspective, and complex man, plagued by self-doubt and haunted by an endless pursuit of perfection in his painting and drawing. In his beautifully illustrated and deeply human portrayal of the artist, Daniel E. Sutherland shows why Whistler was perhaps the most influential artist of his generation, and certainly a pivotal figure in the cultural history of the nineteenth century. Whistler comes alive through his own magnificent work and words, including the provocative manifestos that explained his bold artistic vision, sparked controversy in his own time, and resonate to this day.

About this title

Review:

"This is the story of a true bohemian."--Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times--Rachel Campbell-Johnston"The Times" (02/22/2014)

"The first comprehensive biography of Whistler in at least a generation . . . Sutherland skillfully captures Whistler's ambition, tenacity, and insecurity and presents his life in a narrative that does justice to both his triumphs and his failures."--Eleanor Jones Harvey, American Scholar--Eleanor Jones Harvey "American Scholar "

"[Sutherland] seeks to get behind the public Whistler . . . never judging or condescending to his subject . . . The portrait of Whistler that emerges is complex and mysterious . . . a measured and scholarly account of an extraordinary life."--Ruth Scurr, Wall Street Journal--Ruth Scurr "Wall Street Journal "

"Sutherland's illustrious, cradle-to-grave biography is nicely old-fashioned: it recounts Whistler's career in chronological order, is generous with detail, and keeps psychological speculation to a minimum."--Michael Prodger, The Mail on Sunday--Michael Prodger"The Mail on Sunday" (03/16/2014)

"Wonderfully precise . . . full of sharp notes of detail . . . compelling . . . a beautifully written account."--Farisa Khalid, PopMatters--Farisa Khalid "PopMatters "

"Sutherland's admirably researched and memorable biography should find new admirers for this prickly, headstrong artist and provocateur."--Ann Landi, ARTnews--Ann Landi "ARTnews "

"Engaging"--Christopher Benfey, New York Review of Books--Christopher Benfey "New York Review of Books "

"[A] lucid and jargon-free biography"--Deborah Solomon, New York Times Book Review--Deborah Solomon "New York Times Book Review "

"Immensely readable . . . a lively addition to the understanding of this difficult and important American artist."--Kirkus Reviews--Kirkus Reviews

"Sutherland's account. . .is unobtrusively scholarly and he is a sensible explainer of the work, accessible and illuminating to the general reader. We get three thick wodges of plates, so the paintings are on hand. He knew everybody, learned what he needed to learn and became singular. Sutherland deftly explains how." --Sam Leith, The Spectator-- (02/22/2014)

About the Author:

Daniel E. Sutherland is Distinguished Professor of History, University of Arkansas. The recipient of more than fifty awards, honors, and grants, he is best known for his acclaimed series of books chronicling nineteenth-century America.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0300203462
• ISBN 13: 9780300203462
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432