Cremorne Gardens, No. 2 c. 1870 - 1880

James Abbott McNeill Whistler made this painting of Cremorne Gardens using oil on canvas. The misty ambiance of the scene is created with diluted paints, thinly applied in layers. You can almost feel the cool night air. This was a deliberate choice by Whistler, who was deeply influenced by Japanese aesthetics. He sought to create atmospheric effects, evoking a mood rather than capturing a literal likeness. The visible brushstrokes, and the emphasis on tone over detail, were also a move away from traditional academic painting. Rather than disguising the labor involved, Whistler foregrounds his methods. This highlights the materiality of the paint itself, and its capacity to convey more than just a visual representation. Ultimately, by emphasizing the processes and materials of art-making, Whistler blurs the line between the fine arts and other creative practices, like design. The work challenges us to look beyond the subject matter, and to appreciate the artistry inherent in the making itself.