Evidence of the Old Masters and the Renaissance in Whistler's paintings

Art Dealer Reveals Discovery of Whistler's Infamous lost "Portrait of William Merritt Chase" together with another Masterpiece, "Harmony in Black, No 10."

Angelle M. Vinet identifies evidence of the Old Masters and the Renaissance in Whistler's paintings

portrait

Portrait of Whistler 1885

Harmony in Black no 10

A Louisiana-based art dealer/author has published her scholarly examination of two lost paintings by 19th century artist James McNeill Whistler. In “James McNeill Whistler an Evolution of Painting from the Old Masters,” author Angelle M. Vinet presents the exciting discovery of Whistler’s “Portrait of William Merritt Chase” and “Harmony in Black, No. 10.” Presented is not only scientific evidence from handwriting experts, x-rays and infra-red photographs of these paintings but historical evidence of all the paintings by Whistler's colleagues and followers who Whistler encouraged to paint after him. The discovery of these important masterpieces further identifies Whistler’s artistic influence from the Old Masters and Angelle’s scholarly research recognizes this influence in thirty five other Whistler paintings. Other scholars have recognized that Whistler

was influenced by Asian aesthetics and the Old Masters. Yet this scholarly examination recognizes what Whistler had always admitted that the titles of his paintings identify what he was composing in his paintings. Whistler’s utilization of Leon Battista Alberti's ,"On Painting," use of musical consonances and Leonardo da Vinci's lesson from his ,"Treatise on Painting," were the Renaissance artistic truism utilized in the creation of masterpieces that are identifiable in Whistler's oeuvre.

“This more than a decade-long project has taken me on trips to Glasgow, Scotland, Paris France and twice to the Smithsonian in Washington DC as well as years of extensive research,” Vinet said.

Through her book, Vinet recounts Whistler’s early background, identifying his influence from every known book, museum, lecture, art classes, personal archives, letters and historical documentation acknowledge Whistler’s determination that he would leave a legacy in art that would last for centuries. Because great art does not happen in a vacuum, revealed is evidence of paintings by Whistler's followers and colleagues together with documented handwriting analysis, by two respected experts, x-rays, infra-red photography “James McNeill Whistler an Evolution of Painting from the Old Masters," presents a detailed assessment of Whistler's use of science in the creation of a masterpiece.

Vinet, who studied art at The American College for the Applied Arts, Atlanta, Georgia, then Paris France at the Paris American Academy and La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, was previously owner of A gallery in Louisiana. She has been dealing in 19th century paintings for more than two decades and first began independent study of Whistler’s works and legacy more than 11 years ago after purchasing both paintings at auction during her many trips to France and Europe.