Movie Matinee: James McNeill Whistler: The Case for Beauty

Movie Matinee: James McNeill Whistler: The Case for Beauty (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, December 30th, 1:00 p.m.

James McNeill Whistler was more than an artist—he was a performance in himself. With razor-sharp wit, impeccable style, and a flair for controversy, he turned the art world into his personal stage. Yet behind the bravado stood a true innovator whose fierce commitment to artistic freedom helped usher in modern painting and paved the way for abstraction. Best known for Portrait of the Artist’s Mother, Whistler’s work holds its place alongside masters like Velázquez and Rembrandt. Through vivid dramatizations, striking visuals, and expert commentary, this film delves into the genius and contradictions of a man who transformed conflict into creativity and left a lasting mark on the art world.

The film runs 56 minutes, is rated G, is free and open to the public, and is presented through Kanopy.