James McNeill Whistler believed that art should be appreciated for its beauty rather than judged by the stories it told. Yet his work often provoked controversy, culminating in his famous legal battle with the influential critic John Ruskin. Coinciding with Tate Britain's major 2026 exhibition, this course explores Whistler's paintings, artistic philosophy and enduring influence on modern art. Participants will examine the relationship between aesthetics and reality while considering the wider question that fascinated Victorian audiences: what is the purpose of art? Suitable for anyone interested in art history, aesthetics and nineteenth-century culture.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face to face
• Online

COURSE OUTLINE

• Life & art of James McNeill Whistler
• The libel trial between Whistler & John Ruskin
• Reflection of late Victorian society and social debate and change

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Become familiar with the art of James McNeill Whistler
• Explain some of his artistic & aesthetic philosophy
• Reflect on the role of the libel trial within late Victorian society debate on art and its role