James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) would prove to be the most important American Artist to that time and would have a profound impact on the course of European and modern art. His colorful personality along with his very unique style would place him at the center of a whole storm of controversies.

He was the first to declare Art for Art Sake, and to make the point, he would refuse to give conventional titles to his paintings calling them "Symphonies in White", "Nocturne blue and Gold", "A little Note in Yellow", etc.. His intent was to force the public to view his paintings for the art of canvas and paint  instead of what it may have represented in life. Of course, all he managed to do was create these outrageously long titles since his oblique designations to subject matter proved to be totally useless for any kind of reference.

Although his most well known work is of his mother (which he only ever called "Arrangement in Grey and Black") his drawings and etchings made him one of the preeminent artist in the world and is often, today, overlooked at just how truly great he was in that medium.

The impact that Whistler had on John Singer Sargent, as well as the rest of his contemporaries, is hard to over estimate.

Note:
 

• See the Musee d'Orsay, Paris

• James McNeill Whistler American Etcher