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James Whistler Quotes

Artist

James Whistler was an American artist, painter, etcher, and designer of English birth. Known for his unique style and bold use of color, he is considered a pioneer of the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements. Whistler is renowned for his famous works, including 'The Mother' and the 'Nocturne' series.

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All Art Artist Ifs Painter Should May Men Paint Painting Art Is Artistic Harmony Looks Masters Born Color Critics Cry Desire Drawing

Famous James Whistler Quotes

“If the man who paints only the tree, or flower, or other surface he sees before him were an artist, the king of artists would be the photographer. It is for the artist to do something beyond this.”

Ifs Men Would Be Artist Tree He Man Flower Kings Photography Paint Photographer Surface

Book:The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

Source: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

“Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like a breath on the surface of a pane of glass.”

Should Breaths Paint Glasses Surface Application Thick

Book:Palaces in the Night: Whistler in Venice

Source: Palaces in the Night: Whistler in Venice

“It is for the artist... in portrait painting to put on canvas something more than the face the model wears for that one day; to paint the man, in short, as well as his features.”

Men Wells Faces Artist He Man Painting One Day Models Paint Features Canvas Portraits Portraiture

Book:The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

Source: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

“A student of James McNeill Whistler tells the great artist, 'I tend to paint what I see.' Whistler replies, 'Ah! The shock will come when you see what you paint!”

Artist Students Paint Shock Great Art Great Artist Whistler

Author:James Whistler

About the Author

Born: July 10, 1834
Died: July 17, 1903
Known for: Artist
Quotes: 45

Books & Sources

The Gentle Art of Making EnemiesRelated source material

Delphi Complete Works of James McNeill Whistler (Illustrated)Related source material

Palaces in the Night: Whistler in VeniceRelated source material

Whistler: The Graphic Work: Amsterdam, Liverpool, London, Venice: An Exhibition Organised by Thos. Agnew & Sons, London, the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, and the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, in Association with the Arts Council of Great Britain, 1976Related source material

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