Whistler’s Butterfly 1886

James McNeill Whistler made this drawing with graphite on paper sometime in his lifetime. It's a simple sketch of a flower-like form, but the title is "Whistler's Butterfly," suggesting a personal symbol. Now, graphite and paper seem straightforward, yet they belie a complex social history. Graphite mining involves hard labor, often in dangerous conditions. And the paper itself? Originally handmade with meticulous care, by Whistler's time, it was increasingly produced through industrial processes, its quality affected by market pressures. The quick, economical lines of the graphite belie this. And the lightness and flow of his lines have a purpose, one that runs directly counter to the kind of labor that I've described. Whistler was all about a certain insouciance, a breezy "art for art's sake" attitude. So, remember, when looking at what seems like a light sketch, consider the weight of the materials and the context behind the making of the artwork.