James McNeill Whistler – Exhibition on Screen (PG) 2026

This documentary explores the life and work of James McNeill Whistler, the American painter who championed "art for art's sake" and created iconic works like *Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1*, better known as *Whistler's Mother*. The film delves into his combative public persona, symbolized by his butterfly signature, and his innovative approach to painting, which drew parallels between visual art and music through titles like "nocturnes" and "harmonies."

Viewers will gain insight into Whistler's early years, from his childhood in Lowell, Massachusetts, and St. Petersburg, Russia, to his rise as a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement. The documentary captures his friendships with other artists and writers, his influence on the art world, and the controversies that marked his career, including the famous Ruskin trial. It's a compelling portrait of an artist who reshaped how we think about art and beauty.