"The Gold Scab; Eruption in Frilthy Lucre (The Creditor)," James Abbott McNeill Whistler, 1879.

This painting has an interesting story. Whistler's relationship with his wealthy patron Frederick Leyland ended when Leyland was furious with Whistler's work on the now-famous "Peacock Room;" it seems Whistler was only supposed to finish work started by someone else, but instead totally redid the room. The two parted ways acrimoniously.

Not long after that blow-up, Whistler unadvisedly sued art critic John Ruskin for defamation, over a bad review of one of his paintings; while Whistler won the suit, he was awarded only a farthing in damages. The suit was so expensive that he had to declare bankruptcy....and Leyland was his chief creditor.

So we have Leyland as a peacock, sitting on his house. Whistler pokes fun as his frilled shirts ("Frilthy", get it?) and his piano playing; if you look close you can see a butterfly, Whistler's signature, about to sting Leyland. The color scheme is that of the Peacock Room.

Reminds me of illustrator Sidney Sime...

From the De Young Gallery, San Francisco.

#Art #Aestheticism #JamesAbbottMcNeillWhistler #Caricature #RevengeArt