James McNeill Whistler: The Case for Beauty

Narrated by Anjelica Huston, this engaging PBS-aired documentary by filmmaker Karen Thomas chronicles the life and tumultuous career of James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903), one of the most influential artists of the 19th century, employing dramatic re-creations and archival photos to sketch the story (with Kevin Kline reading from Whistler's letters), combined with comments from historians, critics, curators, and other experts. Born in Lowell, MA, Whistler spent part of his childhood in tsarist Russia, where his father, a world-famous engineer, was involved in the construction of the St. Petersburg-Moscow railroad line. Following a dismal spell as a student at West Point (from which he was dismissed), Whistler drifted to Paris and then London to pursue his goal of becoming a painter. Whistler's vibrant personality and quick wit made him a popular figure in social circles, and he was initially more famous for his larger-than-life presence than for any artistic accomplishment. Coming into his own as an artist, Whistler shocked Victorian sensibilities with his striking 1871 work Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 (more commonly known as Whistler's Mother), although afterward his career ebbed and flowed. While recognized for his masterful command of colors, Whistler's reckless behavior (including a disastrous lawsuit against a hostile art critic) left him in financial distress, with a reduced number of influential supporters. Featuring an impressive array of nearly 200 drawings, etchings, and paintings that display the full scope of Whistler's talents, this is a solid portrait of the artist. DVD extras include a bonus featurette on etching. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Hall).