WHISTLER AND LEIGHTON

A TALK BY DANIEL E. SUTHERLAND AT LEIGHTON HOUSE,

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH AT 7pm

Daniel Sutherland will explore the lives and work of two of the most fascinating artists of the nineteenth century.

Most people think of Frederic Leighton and James McNeill Whistler as opposites, both personally and artistically. There is Leighton, knighted, fêted, and honoured as the long-serving president of the Royal Academy, the ultimate “gentleman artist” and Insider. Then we have Whistler, rebellious, non-conforming, iconoclastic, and the antithesis of the Royal Academy, a self-promoting popinjay and self-proclaimed Outsider. Yet, while the two men do seem to represent different artistic traditions and personal styles, these long-time acquaintances, if not close friends, were as similar as they were different.

A comparison of their contrasting lives, including consideration of the current V&A exhibition Filthy Lucre: Whistler's Peacock Room Reimagined tells us about both men, illustrates the fascinating and multi-dimensional artistic world of nineteenth-century London. Doors open at 6:30pm and guests are invited to explore the museum before the talk, which will start at 7pm

The event is in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. An associated event with Filthy Lucre. Watch out for the event advertised on the V&A website.

Details and tickets available from Leighton House at Eventbrite here