Sunday Art Dialogue: Whistler at Tate Britain

Yesterday members of the Whistler Society were privileged to have a private tour of the James McNeill Whistler Exhibition at Tate Britain given to us by the Curator Carol Jacobi. It was thrilling to have a close look at Whistler's work through the eyes of this absolutely splendid art historian who gave us insight not only about how Whistler produced his works, but also the spirit behind their creation.

I was struck by how much ahead of his times Whistler was and the legacy he has left for modern art today. As you can see from his portrait, done while he was in Paris, he was quite a rogue and quite a dandy. His work was often criticised for its spontaneity and in some case seen as unfinished, brushstrokes loose and immediate, dripping or splashed paint applied, famously denigrated by John Ruskin as throwing a pot of paint at the canvas. Whistler sued Ruskin and won...a farthing...often broke and rather homeless he pursued and in the end is now known for his modern outlook and techniques.

A highlight were the Nocturnes...for the first time all 10 gathered together for this exhibition and of course the recreated Peacock Room.

Whistler's radical art found supporters, but it also provoked conflict with his patron Frederick Leyland, which turned into a bitter quarrel.

Leyland planned a sumptuous renovation of his dining room to display Whistler's paintings alongside his collection of blue-and-white ceramics. When the original architect fell ill, Leyland asked Whistler to make finishing touches to the room.

Without permission, Whistler transformed the entire space. He filled it with peacock motifs and gave it the title Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room. He later added a mural of himself and his patron as two fighting peacocks!

An exhibition not to be missed!