Film: James McNeill Whistler

Member early access ticketing opens on July 13th
General Public sales begin July 20th

In an era of great change and great beauty, the character of James McNeill Whistler emerged. Considered by some to be one of the great innovators of 19th-century art, he was a contemporary of the Impressionists and was much admired by Van Gogh and Manet. Boldly experimental and famously witty, Whistler disrupted the strict conventions of Victorian society in pursuit of a new cult of beauty, creating “art for art’s sake” and earning a place in the history of great art. He found a parallel between painting and music, and entitled many of his paintings “arrangements”, “harmonies” and “nocturnes”, emphasizing the importance of tonal harmony in his work. His most famous painting, Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (1871), commonly known as Whistler’s Mother, is a revered and often parodied portrait of motherhood. It is arguably one of the most famous paintings in history, and this film will unveil the artist behind the art.

Tate Britain is now holding the first major retrospective of Whistler in three decades. This blockbuster exhibition promises to reawaken the world to Whistler’s importance to art history, uniting world-famous masterpieces with rarely seen works. Exhibition on Screen will bring these stunning works and the incredible story behind them to cinemas around the world while the exhibition is still running, bringing this truly global artist to a global audience. This will be an unmissable chance to get to know this visually spectacular artist and the influence he has had on those who followed.

Ticket & Visitor Information

For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706. The ticket price includes a non-refundable $3.00 service fee. Programs are subject to change.

Artwork caption: James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903). Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (detail), 1871. Oil on canvas. Image courtesy of Musée d’Orsay, Paris.