James Abbott McNeill Whistler 1864 Purple and Rose: The Lange
Leizen of the Six Marks
Slide 2
The Artist:1834-1903 Born in Massachusetts in 1834 Father was
an engineer Travelled to Russia and England as a boy Returned to US
after Fathers death Enrolled at West Point Little success as
student of military arts Not academic success 1855: After working
briefly as a cartographer emigrated to Europe
Slide 3
The Artist: Continued Interested in art at early age Art
classes in St. Petersburg from 1845-48 Continued while travelling
in London in 1847-48 Moved to Paris, adopted bohemian lifestyle
Studied at studio of Charles Gleyre, mentor to French
Impressionists Befriended Gustave Courbet Self directed study
copied works of those he admired Rembrandt van Rijn Learnt to
create emotional and evocative works with limited range of
tones
Slide 4
The Artist: Continued Contradiction to Academies in France and
England Did not think art had to be moralizing or enlightening
Academic painters valued history painting Promoted art for arts
sake Pieces evocative, capture moods and emotions through subtle
use of color Titled pieces to recall music and its emotive effects
Ex. Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl(1862), Arrangement in
Grey and Black: The Artists Mother(1871), Nocturne in Black and
Gold: The Falling Rocket(1874)
Slide 5
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket Made Whistler
Famous Critic John Ruskin(Turner Supporter) criticized in harsh
terms Flinging a pot of paint in the publics face Whistler sued and
won libel case Little compensation Trial included discussion of the
goal of art and the role of the artist
Slide 6
Eastern Influence in France 1870s Impressionists in France
fascinated by Japanese Art Especially inexpensive woodblock prints
Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh collected hundreds, influence on
work clearly visible Whistler began incorporating these influences
years before Like contemporaries in England, Great admirer of
Chinese art, especially porcelain Royal academy viewers of Purple
and Rose: The Lange Leizen of the Six Marks would recognize blue
and white porcelain objects
Slide 7
Purple and Rose: The Lange Leizen of the Six Marks
Slide 8
Small painting focusing on female figure surrounded by
beautiful Chinese objects, likely part of Whistlers collection
Model Joanna Hiffernan Whistlers Mistress in the 1860s Modeled for
number of his works Ex. Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl and
Symphony in White, No.2 The Little White Girl(1864-65) Also had
relationship with Courbet, posed in his studio
Slide 9
Purple and Rose: The Lange Leizen of the Six Marks Shown seated
in a relaxed, casual pose Body marks diagonal line from the lower
left to upper right corner Nearly fills frame Dressed in Chinese
brocade robe Decorated with floral motif in peach and rose Under
layer and trim on robe in dark purple(Inspired Philadelphia Museum
of Art title Purple and Rose Supports blue and white object in left
hand, brush in right hand like she is imagining herself painting
vessel Make up accentuates features, hair pulled back tightly, to
imitate Chinese courtly fashion
Slide 10
Purple and Rose: The Lange Leizen of the Six Marks Surrounding
Hiffernan, number of Chinese objects laid out as if on display
Several blue and white Teacup and large ginger jar Painted fan
decorated with a crane and a tray Group of brushes on table behind
her A few other objects to detract form Hiffernan and surrounding
imports Colors in background are beige and brown, more vivid tones
of robe and porcelain are accentuated
Slide 11
The Porcelain Objects highlighted are Whistlers own. He is an
avid collector Featured porcelain is blue and white First produced
in about the 14 th century 17 th Century created for export to
Europe Europeans later copy styles Lange Leizen is a pattern with
willowy ladies; Long Eliza Six Marks refers to the markings that
verify authenticity
Slide 12
World at the time Obsession with Chinese porcelain connected to
a rise in the consumption of Chinese tea in the early 19 th century
By the time this work is painted 90% of the tea in England was from
China