Page "James Abbott McNeill Whistler" Paragraph 28

By 1871, Whistler returned to portraits and soon produced his most famous painting, the nearly monochromatic full-length figure entitled Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, but usually, and incorrectly, referred to as Whistler's Mother.

According to a letter from his mother, one day, after a model failed to appear, Whistler turned to his mother and suggested he do her portrait.

In his typically slow and experimental way, at first he had her stand, but that proved too tiring so the famous seated pose was adopted.

It took dozens of sittings to complete.