Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1

This painting by James Whistler is considered iconic American art. Well, ironic iconic American art because though Whistler was American, this portrait was painted in London and then sold to the city of Paris, where it now hangs in the Musée d'Orsay. Whistler was very affected by music and he usually titled his paintings with musical terms such as "arrangements," "harmonies," or "nocturnes" emphasizing the primacy of tonal harmony in his art. This painting itself was created because after an appointed model failed to appear, Whistler turned to his mother and suggested he do her portrait.