James Whistler quotes

Born
July 11, 1834, Lowell, Massachusetts, US.

Died
July 17, 1903.

Occupation
Artist.

James Whistler was an American artist.

If other people are going to talk, conversation becomes impossible.
– James Whistler

The world is divided into two classes – invalids and nurses.
– James Whistler

The vast majority of English folk cannot and will not consider a picture as a picture, apart from any story which it may be supposed to tell.
– James Whistler

An artist’s career always begins tomorrow.
– James Whistler

I can’t tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring.
– James Whistler

People will forgive anything but beauty and talent. So I am doubly unpardonable.
– James Whistler

I am not arguing with you – I am telling you.
– James Whistler

Can’t a person be born where they want to be born?
– James Whistler

The rare few, who, early in life have rid themselves of the friendship of the many.
– James Whistler

We look at a painting to know the painter; it’s his company we are after, not his skill.
– James Whistler

Work alone will efface the footsteps of work.
– James Whistler

Mauve is just pink trying to be purple.
– James Whistler

It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait.
– James Whistler

The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.
– James Whistler

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.
– James Whistler

To say of a picture, as is often said in its praise, that it shows great and earnest labour, is to say that it is incomplete and unfit for view.
– James Whistler