Whistler's Mother
The artist
James McNeill Whistler, an American painter who spent much of his life working in England and France.
What you see
An older woman sitting quietly in profile, dressed in black, with her hands resting in her lap.
The story
Whistler painted his own mother in 1871, and the picture became a famous symbol of gentle motherhood.
The style
He used calm grays and blacks, arranging simple shapes so the whole picture feels peaceful and balanced.
Look closer
Look at the flowery curtain on the left; its soft pattern is one of the few bits of decoration.
Where to see it
This calm portrait hangs at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, France.
Fun fact
Whistler really named the painting Arrangement in Grey and Black, because he cared most about the colors.