Arrangement in Black and Gold 1892

"Arrangement in Black and Gold" (1892) by James Abbott McNeill Whistler is a striking example of the artist's signature style, known as "art for art's sake." The painting features a figure, likely a friend of Whistler's, dressed in a dark suit and white gloves, holding a cane. The composition is dominated by a symphony of black and gold hues, emphasizing the artist's focus on aesthetics and visual harmony over narrative or representation. This piece epitomizes Whistler's belief in art's inherent beauty, devoid of any external meaning or symbolism.