James McNeill Whistler and France : A Dialogue in Paint, Poetry, and Music

James McNeill Whistler and France: A Dialogue in Paint, Poetry, and Music is the first full-length and in-depth study to position this painter within the overall trajectory of French modernism during the second half of the nineteenth century and to view the artist as integral to the aesthetic projects of its most original contributors. Suzanne M. Singletary maintains that Whistler was in a unique situation as an insider within the emerging French avant-garde, thereby in an enviable position to both absorb and transform the innovations of others – and that until now, his widespread influence as a catalyst among his colleagues has been neither investigated nor appreciated. Singletary contends that Whistler’s importance rivals that of Manet, whose multi-layered (and often unexpected) interconnections with Whistler are the focus of one chapter. In addition, Whistler’s pivotal role in linking the legacies of Baudelaire, Delacroix, Gautier, Wagner, and other mid-century innovators to the later French Symbolists has previously been largely ignored. Courbet, Degas, Monet, and Seurat complete the roster of French artists whose dialogue with Whistler is highlighted. James McNeil Whistler and France: A Dialogue in Paint, Poetry, and Music is the first full-length and in-depth study to position this painter within the overall trajectory of French modernism during the second half of the nineteenth century and to view the artist as integral to the aesthetic projects of its most original contributors. Suzanne Singletary maintains that Whistler was in a unique situation as an insider within the emerging French avant-garde, thereby in an enviable position to both absorb and transform the innovations of others - and that until now, his widespread influence as a catalyst among his colleagues has been neither investigated nor appreciated. Singletary contends that Whistler's importance rivals that of Manet, whose multi-layered (and often unexpected) interconnections with Whistler are the focus of one chapter. In addition, Whistler's pivotal role in linking the legacy of Baudelaire, Delacroix, Gautier, Wagner and other mid-century innovators to the later French Symbolists has previously been largely ignored. Courbet, Degas, Monet and Seurat complete the roster of French artists whose dialogue with Whistler is highlighted Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Whistler’s dialogues 1 Crossing thresholds: Baudelaire and Whistler 2 The artist’s studio: Courbet and Whistler 3 Voyage: Manet and Whistler 4 Holland and the modern interior: Degas and Whistler 5 Alliteration and ellipses: Monet, Mallarmé, and Whistler 6 Seurat’s butterfly: Seurat and Whistler Conclusion: Whistler and France Bibliography Index In this first full-length study to position James McNeill Whistler within the trajectory of French modernism, his dialogues with Courbet, Manet, Degas, Monet and Seurat are examined in-depth. Inserting Whistler into the dynamics of the French avant-garde reveals the depth and pervasiveness of his presence and the revolutionary nature of his role in shaping modernism. 1. Crossing thresholds : Baudelaire and Whistler -- 2. The artist's studio : Courbet and Whistler -- 3. Voyage : Manet and Whistler -- 4. Holland and the modern interior : Degas and Whistler -- 5. Alliteration and ellipses : Monet, Mallarme, and Whistler -- 6. Seurat's butterfly : Seurat and Whistler