The artwork titled “Symphony in White and Red” was created by James McNeill Whistler around the year 1868. Painted in oil on a canvas with dimensions of 46.67 by 61.91 cm, this piece falls within the Symbolism movement and is categorized as a genre painting.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a scene evocative of ethereal tranquility and contemplation. Dominated by soft, flowing hues of white and red, the composition captures three figures, seemingly engaged in a quiet, almost meditative moment by the water. The central figure, adorned in a white robe, stands gracefully, emphasizing Whistler’s mastery in rendering delicate textures and serene atmospheres. The background, awash with subdued tones and abstract brushwork, dissolves into a harmonious blend of color, creating an impression of calmness and otherworldly presence, hallmark characteristics of Symbolist art.