The Velvet Dress 1873

James McNeill Whistler created this print, "The Velvet Dress," using etching. It is evocative of the aesthetic movement in England during the late 19th century. At this time, there was a growing interest in art for art's sake, where beauty and subjective experience were emphasized above other concerns like moral or historical content. In the print, the woman's velvet dress drapes elegantly down her body, showing her status in society through her luxurious garments, a concept that reflects the Victorian Era's strict codes around wealth. Whistler’s printmaking, like his painting, was greatly influenced by Japanese art, which also favored simple compositions and the use of suggestion rather than detail. As historians, we consult a variety of sources to understand art, including letters between artists and publications such as art journals. By looking at the social context, we can come to better understand the meaning of art, as something contingent on social and institutional context.