James McNeill Whistler: Prints, The Fine Art Society

Marina Vaizey | theartsdesk | 17th April 2016

Whistler hated putting narrative into art. Believing in art for art’s sake he sought out the perfect moment. His paintings and atmospheric etchings won the respect of Manet and Degas, and it was to etching that he resorted when sent to Venice to stave off bankruptcy. Some of that output, now in a London exhibition, shows an artist of great capability. However, many now consider he was outshone by the Impressionists.