Whistler's Mother

Hello My Lovelies!

 

So, it’s almost 2 exciting things this weekend – Mothers’ Day, AND your Mom & Dad’s anniversary!  What an excellent weekend all around! 

I remember your Mom and Dad’s wedding so very well because it was awesomely beautiful and everyone was so happy, and because of the lilacs.  It was a PERFECT weekend for lilacs.

 

Not many artists have painted paintings about your Mom & Dad’s anniversary (although they should!), but lots and lots of artists have done paintings about Mothers.  So this week, I thought I’d show you one of the most famous Mom paintings of all time, the one titled “Whistler’s Mother”, by an American painter named (shockingly) James McNeill Whistler (it really is a painting of his mom).  He painted it in 1871.

 

Some people say that James had his mom sit in as the model for the painting when his model didn’t show up that day. 

After it became a famous painting, James was annoyed by people who called it a "portrait." He thought it should be valued simply as a good painting, and the identity of the person in it shouldn’t matter.  I would disagree with him on that point – I would like this painting much less if the woman in it wasn’t his mom (I actually don’t really like it as is, but that’s more about the color choice and how severe she looks than about his skill as a painter).

Here’s what’s funny to me; this painting REALLY connected with people.  The post office made a stamp, dedicated to the “Memory and In Honor of the Mothers of America” of it.  A giant statue was made of it during the great depression as a tribute to Moms.  But looking at her, does she make you feel all warm and fuzzy?  Do you look at her, in her black dress, with no children or anything child-like or even joyful around her, and immediately think “Wow, she looks like a great Mom”?  I sure don’t.  but apparently a LOT of people really thought she exemplified what Mom should be!  Fascinating.

I’ve also included 2 of James’ other paintings, and these I like.  Still too neutral for my tastes, but they’ve stylistically quite different from the portrait and have a lovely, ghostlike feeling to them – like something in the mists of a dream, and that’s something I can appreciate a lot more.

In any case, know that I love you and think that you’re awesome.

Hugs and kisses,

Auntie Paula

XOXOXOXOXO