Lunchtime lecture: James Abbott McNeill Whistler - art for art's sake
Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Whistler is most famous for his atmospheric paintings: nocturnes in blue and gold, compositions in grey and yellow, not precisely provocative to our contemporary eye. The paintings are manifestations of his alignment with the late 19th century theory 'art for art's sake', a concept that art was for the pleasure of art rather than an illustration of social morality or instructive narrative. Whistler's crusade to reclaim painting from the clutches of Victorian ethics appealed to some influential art patrons, but ultimately it made him a pariah in the elite art world of his time.
This lunchtime lecture will give a brief biographical introduction to Whistler, how he came to paint the way he did, before moving into his core ideas on art for art's sake. The second part of the talk will look at his back-to-back artwork failures in 1877, which succeeded in suppressing the upward trajectory of his career while simultaneously being the best examples of his theory. The goal of this lecture is not to just examine Whistler, but to think about what we expect art to be and what we expect it to do for us in society. What exactly does it mean to make art for the sake of art?
What will we cover?
-A brief biography of the artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler
-Art for art's sake as an art theory
-Key artworks in Whistler's oeuvre
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Have a broad understanding of Whistler's artistic goals
-Explain art for art's sake as a concept
-Identify at least one key visual element in the artistic practice of Whistler
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all.
You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
No documents will be shared in this session. A short reading list will be shared at the end (not before).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/lunchtime-lecture-james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-art-for-art-s-sake2990135Lunchtime lecture: James Abbott McNeill Whistler - art for art's sakehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/lunchtime-lecture-james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-art-for-art-s-sake-vb788.jpg1414GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Online courses228511361137117717311228511771136<p>Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.</p>002990126Lunchtime lecture: James Abbott McNeill Whistler - art for art's sake1414https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/lunchtime-lecture-james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-art-for-art-s-sake-vb788_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB7881414Lunchtime lecture: James Abbott McNeill Whistler - art for art's sake11914Sarah Jaffraylunchtime-lecture-james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-art-for-art-s-sake/vb788-2526<p>Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-03 00:00:00<p>Whistler is most famous for his atmospheric paintings: nocturnes in blue and gold, compositions in grey and yellow, not precisely provocative to our contemporary eye. The paintings are manifestations of his alignment with the late 19th century theory 'art for art's sake', a concept that art was for the pleasure of art rather than an illustration of social morality or instructive narrative. Whistler's crusade to reclaim painting from the clutches of Victorian ethics appealed to some influential art patrons, but ultimately it made him a pariah in the elite art world of his time.</p><p>This lunchtime lecture will give a brief biographical introduction to Whistler, how he came to paint the way he did, before moving into his core ideas on art for art's sake. The second part of the talk will look at his back-to-back artwork failures in 1877, which succeeded in suppressing the upward trajectory of his career while simultaneously being the best examples of his theory. The goal of this lecture is not to just examine Whistler, but to think about what we expect art to be and what we expect it to do for us in society. What exactly does it mean to make art for the sake of art? </p><p>Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.</p><p>-A brief biography of the artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler</p><p>-Art for art's sake as an art theory</p><p>-Key artworks in Whistler's oeuvre</p><p>-Have a broad understanding of Whistler's artistic goals</p><p>-Explain art for art's sake as a concept</p><p>-Identify at least one key visual element in the artistic practice of Whistler</p><p>This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>No documents will be shared in this session. A short reading list will be shared at the end (not before).</p><p>There are no additional costs.</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesvirtual11149VB788NONEWed03/06/2613:00 - 14:0013:0014:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities1414Lunchtime lecture: James Abbott McNeill Whistler - art for art's sakelunchtime-lecture-james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-art-for-art-s-sake/vb788-2526<p>Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-03 00:00:00<p>Whistler is most famous for his atmospheric paintings: nocturnes in blue and gold, compositions in grey and yellow, not precisely provocative to our contemporary eye. The paintings are manifestations of his alignment with the late 19th century theory 'art for art's sake', a concept that art was for the pleasure of art rather than an illustration of social morality or instructive narrative. Whistler's crusade to reclaim painting from the clutches of Victorian ethics appealed to some influential art patrons, but ultimately it made him a pariah in the elite art world of his time.</p><p>This lunchtime lecture will give a brief biographical introduction to Whistler, how he came to paint the way he did, before moving into his core ideas on art for art's sake. The second part of the talk will look at his back-to-back artwork failures in 1877, which succeeded in suppressing the upward trajectory of his career while simultaneously being the best examples of his theory. The goal of this lecture is not to just examine Whistler, but to think about what we expect art to be and what we expect it to do for us in society. What exactly does it mean to make art for the sake of art? </p><p>Get to know the work of the bad boy of the Victorian art world, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. This lunchtime lecture will introduce Whistler's art philosophy, art for art's sake, how it fitted in with the Decadence movement and how it railed against Arts and Crafts. We'll explore his artistic failures and what they teach us about what was expected of the proper Victorian artist.</p><p>-A brief biography of the artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler</p><p>-Art for art's sake as an art theory</p><p>-Key artworks in Whistler's oeuvre</p><p>-Have a broad understanding of Whistler's artistic goals</p><p>-Explain art for art's sake as a concept</p><p>-Identify at least one key visual element in the artistic practice of Whistler</p><p>This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&amp;A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>No documents will be shared in this session. A short reading list will be shared at the end (not before).</p><p>There are no additional costs.</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesconfigurable
11371136Introductory & general art history courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/introductory-general-art-history1/2/285/1177/1136/11371/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00