“Symphony in White, No. 3” is an oil on canvas painting created by James McNeill Whistler in 1867, exemplifying the Realism art movement. The artwork measures 52 by 76.5 centimeters and is currently housed at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham, UK. This genre painting portrays a serene and intimate domestic scene featuring two women dressed in white.
The artwork depicts two women in a relaxed setting. One woman is seen reclining on a sofa, her body stretched out in a relaxed pose with a contemplative expression on her face. The other woman is kneeling on the floor, seemingly engaged in a quiet moment of introspection or interaction. The dominant use of white color in their garments and the sofa resonate with the title of the piece, creating a harmonious visual effect. The subtle interplay of light and shadow, along with the delicate rendering of the women’s dresses and the surrounding elements, highlights Whistler’s mastery in capturing both the realism of the scene and the refined simplicity that characterizes much of his work. The overall composition and the serene mood evoke a sense of quiet elegance and timelessness.
