The aim of the society is to promote interest in the life, work and influence of James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 -1903).

Founded in 2012, The Whistler Society organises events such as talks, visits to exhibitions and places associated with Whistler and those in his social circle. It publishes a bi-monthly Newsletter and a Journal, The Ten O’clock, every two years. You can find copies of both on the website.  Some meetings are held at the Chelsea Arts Club, of which Whistler was a founder member in 1891.

​

J.A. M. Whistler was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA on 11 July 1834. Part of his childhood was spent in St. Petersburg, Russia. He studied painting in Paris and then moved to London in 1859. He embraced the philosophy of ‘art for art’s sake’ exemplified by his paintings, etchings, decorative schemes and writings. He had a significant influence on present day attitudes to art and to its place in Society. As a person he was equally striking and flamboyant. He died in Chelsea on 17 July 1903.