“Arrangement in Black: Portrait of F.R. Leyland” is an evocative oil on canvas portrait executed by James McNeill Whistler during the years 1870 to 1873. The artwork, a testament to the Realism art movement, measures 91.9 by 192.8 cm. This formally composed portrait falls within the genre of portraiture.
The artwork presents a distinguished gentleman, identified as F.R. Leyland, posed confidently against a somber, nearly monochromatic black background. His demeanor exudes an air of quiet strength and sophistication, draped in elegantly tailored black attire. Textural contrast is evident in the subtle sheen of the fabrics and the nuanced details in the subject’s facial features and accessories. The artist’s skillful use of light and shadow imbues the figure with a sense of depth and presence, drawing the viewer’s gaze toward the meticulously rendered contours and expressions. Whistler’s mastery in capturing both the physical likeness and the underlying character of the sitter is prominently displayed in this striking portrait.
