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

"Arrangement in Black: Portrait of F.R. Leyland" (1873) by James Abbott McNeill Whistler is a striking example of his signature aesthetic. This oil painting, which measures 91.9 x 192.8 cm, depicts Whistler's patron and friend, Frederick Richard Leyland, standing against a stark black background. The subject is rendered in a muted palette, with only subtle hints of color in the white shirt and the shadowed folds of Leyland's coat. The painting, known as a "Nocturne," emphasizes tonal variations, capturing the essence of the sitter rather than detailed realism. Whistler's signature style, characterized by its elegant simplicity, made a significant impact on the development of portraiture in the late 19th century.