Tate Britain Tate Britain

Revisit the work of the most famous mother painter in this upcoming Tate exhibition

Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup
Daniel Sheppard

The first major European retrospective of James McNeill Whistler is coming to Tate Britain next year.

American artist James McNeill Whistler is a giant in the world of painting, having pioneered innovative techniques in his pursuit of ethereal visions of modern life. One of the most influential artists of the past two centuries, his reach extends far beyond just the art world, in no small part due to his seminal portrait “Whistler's Mother,” a regular part of global pop culture appearing in a wide variety of media, from music and literature to film.

Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 (1871), popularly known as Whistler's Mother, Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Whistler's work and career will be the subject of a new retrospective hosted by Tate Britain from May next year. The first such exhibition in Europe in 30 years, it features both world-famous paintings and lesser-known works, covering Whistler's life from his teen years in Russia to his ground-breaking later periods. 

“James McNeill Whistler” will eb on at Tate Britain from 21 May 2026 to 27 September 2026. You can find out more about the exhibition and book tickets here.

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