Whistler: For Art's Sake

Anjelica Huston narrates this compelling docudrama from award-winning filmmaker Karen Thomas, exploring the life and work of "the original art star" James McNeill Whistler, whose portrait of his mother is an icon of American culture.

Famous for his patent leather shoes, monocle, and swagger, his theatrics attracted the curiosity of buyers and the attention of critics. When John Ruskin accused him of flinging “a pot of paint” in the face of the public with his nearly abstract paintings, Whistler sued for libel and changed the course of art history.

Whistler’s paintings and drawings introduced ideas and art forms that were avant-garde for their time, paving the way for what became known as modern art decades later. His lasting influence is evident in works by Henri Matisse and Georgia O'Keeffe. Art students and enthusiasts will delight in learning more about this pioneer of "nearly abstract" art.