1903, James McNeill Whistler, Portrait of Charles Lang Freer -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: Freer's friendship with American expatriate artist James McNeill Whistler began with a studio visit in 1890. Freer became Whistler's greatest patron and, in turn, the artist had a lasting impact on Freer as a collector. The men shared points of commonality. Both were born in manufacturing towns in the northeast.
Whistler's father was a railroad engineer, while Freer accrued his initial fortune in railroad car manufacturing. Both navigated the rising tide of industrialization by embracing a life centered around art and beauty. Whistler encouraged Freer to travel and pursue Asian art, inspiring the collections we find here today.
Link to other Whistler paintings.
1903, James McNeill Whistler, Portrait of Charles Lang Freer -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: Freer's friendship with American expatriate artist James McNeill Whistler began with a studio visit in 1890. Freer became Whistler's greatest patron and, in turn, the artist had a lasting impact on Freer as a collector. The men shared points of commonality. Both were born in manufacturing towns in the northeast.
Whistler's father was a railroad engineer, while Freer accrued his initial fortune in railroad car manufacturing. Both navigated the rising tide of industrialization by embracing a life centered around art and beauty. Whistler encouraged Freer to travel and pursue Asian art, inspiring the collections we find here today.
Link to other Whistler paintings.