James McNeill Whistler

the long version

The myth perpetuated throughout Whistler's life - of a witty, irascible dandy endlessly feuding with the establishment or anyone else who stood in his way - clouds his artistic achievement. Now, for the first time, his art and life are brought together in this major new biography to recreate the extraordinary career of the man behind the myth. By examining Whistler's life and work together with the impact his followers, collectors and friends made on his reputation after his death, Anderson and Koval show this most controversial and accomplished artist to be one of the most remarkable men of his age.