How many of us would wish to be famous for our talent as an artist or our great wit, perhaps intrepid travelling adventures or our skill with the opposite sex?

One might be good but some people are lucky and are known for all of these 'qualities'. Such a person is James McNeill Whistler (1834 ﾖ 1903) whose life and loves will be celebrated this year at The Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, to mark the centenary of his death.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, in 1834, Whistler spent 5 years of his childhood in St Petersburg, Russia and the rest between the States and London where his elder half-sister lived. Although Whistler only visited Scotland once, he had strong links with the country through his family. In addition, his work was much admired by Scottish artists of the time, most notably the 'Glasgow Boys'.

Today, one of the world's most important collections of Whistler's work is held at the Hunterian Art Gallery. This collection was presented to the University of Glasgow by Whistler's heir, Rosalind Birnie Philip in recognition of Whistler's Scottish links and the University's conferral of an honorary degree on Whistler in 1903.

Considered Whistler's most famous work, 'Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1: Portrait of the Painter's Mother' 1871 (Mus￩e d'Orsay, Paris), this iconographic portrait of his mother will come to Glasgow for the first time in half a century. The Mus￩e d'Orsay has exceptionally lent the work in recognition of the centenary. A picture-in-focus display will investigate the significance of the painting for Whistler, its acquisition by the Mus￩e du Luxembourg in 1891, and its continuing life as an icon and inspiration for satirists, cartoonists, copyists and others.

As well as being a painter, printmaker, designer and writer on art, Whistler was known as much for his sharp wit as his art and he was an ardent self-publicist and correspondent. For the past ten years, the Centre for Whistler Studies at the University has been preparing an edition of the 10,000 letters in the Whistler correspondence. The publication of these letters in this, the centenary year, will highlight his contacts with artists, critics, dealers, models, patrons, publishers and many more, during the half-century from 1855 to 1903.

A collection of Whistler's wittiest comments is available from the Bloomsbury Biographical Dictionary of Quotations, ﾩ Bloomsbury1997 but here are a few samples;

"Isn't it? I know in my case I would grow intolerably conceited."

Replying to the pointed observation that it was as well that we do not see ourselves as others see us. The Man Whistler (H. Pearson)

"Perhaps not, but then you can't call yourself a great work of nature."

Responding to a sitter's complaint that his portrait was not a great work of art. Whistler Stories (D. Seitz)

"You will, Oscar, you will."

Replying to Oscar Wilde's exclamation "I wish I had said that!" (Attrib.)

Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Scotland, the Hunterian Art Gallery will be staging a range of Whistler 2003 exhibitions and events as part of a Glasgow-wide festival running throughout the year.

The events programme is still taking shape but the following link introduces some of the exciting plans that are already in place. Whistler 2003

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First published: 29 January 2003