Arrangement in Black: Portrait of F.R. Leyland 1873

James McNeill Whistler painted this portrait of F.R. Leyland with oil on canvas. In this period, oil paint had become an industrialized medium, sold in tubes for the first time, enabling artists to work more freely and spontaneously. Here, Whistler’s deft brushstrokes are evident in the subtle gradations of black and gray, capturing Leyland’s likeness with remarkable economy. Notice how the texture of the canvas is visible beneath the thin layers of paint, adding depth and vitality to the composition. Whistler was deeply interested in Japanese art, and he sought to emulate its principles of harmony and balance in his own work. The arrangement of colors and forms in this portrait is carefully orchestrated to create a sense of understated elegance, reflecting Leyland's own refined taste and social standing as a shipping magnate. Whistler's artistic process elevates the social standing of his subject, underscoring the value of both artistic and industrial labor. By focusing on the materiality of paint and the act of painting itself, Whistler blurs the line between fine art and craft.