When it comes to paintings of someone sitting around glumly, few have reached the level of notoriety of “Whistler’s Mother.” Even though the painting, which indeed does depict painter James McNeill Whistler’s mother, is actually entitled “Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1.” The painting was created in London in 1871, and is a rare visitor on these shores. Its Independence Day arrival marked the start of a visit to the Clark Art Institute, the only East Coast stop on the current maternal tour — the painting’s permanent home is France, its status as American icon notwithstanding.
If you’d like to learn more about the painting and about Whister, the Clark is offering a series of talks. The first happens Friday, July 10, and is led by Carey Powers, the Clark’s Lunder special assistant to the director. Powers will trace the picture’s history from its creation to its present home. On Friday, July 17, Leslie Paisley, head of paper conservation at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, weighs in. And on Friday, July 24, the third talk is offered by Heather Nolin, Arthur Ross Collection research associate and Yale University Art Gallery project manager.
Whistler’s Mother: Grey, Black, and White: through Sept. 27, Clark Art Institute, 225 South St., Williamstown, (413) 458-0588, www.clark.edu.
— James Heflin
