James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) was one of the most deliberately contentious, witty, and fiercely independent artists of his generation. Whistler rebelled against the established art world and resisted allegiances with avant-garde movements such as Impressionism. One of the most eminent advocates of the “art for art’s sake” philosophy of Aestheticism, he is considered by many to be among the best printmakers in art history. This exhibition presents Carnegie Museum of Art’s major painting and impressive collection of Whistler’s aesthetically radical prints and drawings revealing the evolution of his career in relation to his towering persona and place in the 19th-century art world.

The exhibition is organized by Amanda Zehnder, associate curator of fine arts.

Related events: Lunch & Learn;  “Bound Together” Book Club;  Lecture

Support for this exhibition was provided by the Bernard and Barbara Mars Works on Paper Fund. General operating support for Carnegie Museum of Art is provided by The Heinz Endowments and Allegheny Regional Asset District. Carnegie Museum of Art receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.