Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1

Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, popularly known as Whistler’s Mother, was painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1871. It depicts his mother, Anna McNeill Whistler, seated in profile against a restrained grey wall, dressed in black.

Shown in pure profile, this form was used by renaissance artists and was rarely seen in conventional portrait painting by this time.

James spent most time perfecting it, her head and her hand clutching the handkerchief. He made it very detailed and was used it as a prop so that the hands look naturally occupied.

Out of all the elements in Whistler’s Mother, only the chair lacked life. What James initially thought was a standing pose later became a sitting pose because of weakness from a recent illness.

A patient model, Whistler’s Mother became his most popular painting. Whistler’s deep, subtle and thoughtful approach turned a seemingly simple portrait into a masterpiece, one that would go on to change his fortunes.