Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket 1876

James McNeill Whistler painted Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket using oil on canvas. Whistler was interested in the ways that materials—like pigment, ground animal hairs, and linen—could evoke particular moods. The ways in which he applied the oil paint is apparent in the finished work. You can see how the paint drips down in strokes to create her figure. The tones are muted, as though this woman is emerging from the darkness. The fur trim on her jacket suggests luxury. It’s interesting to consider that while Whistler was indulging his aesthetic interests, others were making a living by producing these goods. From the harvesting of flax for the linen canvas, to the extraction of pigments for the paints, and the raising of animals for their fur, the work involved in producing this painting extended far beyond the artist's studio. When we appreciate the materials and making processes behind an artwork, we can develop a richer understanding of its social and cultural significance.