Portrait of Whistler with a Hat 1859

"Portrait of Whistler with a Hat" is an 1859 oil painting by James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The painting depicts a self-portrait of the artist, showcasing his signature dark palette and loose brushstrokes. Whistler's confident gaze and the bold use of shadow create a sense of depth and character, while the simple composition and intimate scale draw the viewer into the artist's personal space. The painting is considered to be an early example of Whistler's artistic style, which later became known as "Whistlerian." This self-portrait, created during a time of significant artistic development for Whistler, showcases his nascent artistic tendencies that would come to define his career.