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Whistler Trivia Quiz

Before Dali or Warhol, James Whistler was the first artist to make himself better known as a celebrity than for his works (though they're renowned also). Oh, and nothing about that old lady!

A multiple-choice quiz by tjoebigham. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
tjoebigham

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
25,306

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
575

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Where was Whistler born? Hint

Prout's Neck, Maine

Paris, France

Lowell, Mass.

Albany, New York

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Question 2 of 15

2. Where did Whistler eventually settle? Hint

Zurich, Switzerland

Lisbon, Portugal

London, England

Dublin, Ireland

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Question 3 of 15

3. What insect became his symbol? Hint

butterfly

grasshopper

moth

cicada

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Question 4 of 15

4. Name the title Whistler did NOT use for his paintings. Hint

melody

arrangement

harmony

nocturne

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Question 5 of 15

5. What color did Whistler describe as 'pink trying to be purple'? Hint

puce

lilac

mauve

lavender

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Question 6 of 15

6. Name the renowned philosopher Whistler painted. Hint

Friedrich Nietzsche

Arthur Schopenhauer

Thomas Carlyle

Soren Kirkegaard

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Question 7 of 15

7. Which of Whistler's paintings was directly influenced by Japanese art? Hint

Crepuscule in Valpariso

Old Battersea Bridge

The White Girl

Wapping

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which famed Irish-born poet-playwright was Whistler friends with for a time? Hint

Brendan Behan

George Bernard Shaw

Oscar Wilde

John Millington Synge

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who was the art critic Whistler took to court for libel? Hint

Bernard Berensen

Thomas Beer

Edouard Vuilliard

John Ruskin

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which of Whistler's works was disparaged? Hint

Cremorne Lights

Annabel Lee

The Peacock Room

The Falling Rocket

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Question 11 of 15

11. What is the title of Whistler's only published book? Hint

My Life

The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies

My Story

My Art and Life

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which Spanish artist did Whistler revere? Hint

Velasquez

Goya

El Greco

Dali

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Question 13 of 15

13. What subject did Whistler fail at in West Point? Hint

chemistry

cartography

horsemanship

fencing

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Question 14 of 15

14. True or false: Whistler was also an etcher.

True

False

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Question 15 of 15

15. Which art form did Whistler never try? Hint

sketching

etching

sculpture

oil painting

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was Whistler born?

Answer: Lowell, Mass.

Whistler shared his birthplace with two others: Two-time Oscar winner Bette Davis and Beat pioneer Jack Kerouac.

2. Where did Whistler eventually settle?

Answer: London, England

He also died there, in 1903.

3. What insect became his symbol?

Answer: butterfly

The famed butterfly evolved from his initials J.M.W., and added a scorpion's sting attached after an incident in Venice.

4. Name the title Whistler did NOT use for his paintings.

Answer: melody

Whistler also used 'symphony' and even 'crepuscule'.

5. What color did Whistler describe as 'pink trying to be purple'?

Answer: mauve

This well-known remark of Whistler's inspired the title 'The Mauve Decade' by Thomas Beer.

6. Name the renowned philosopher Whistler painted.

Answer: Thomas Carlyle

Whistler's portrait of Carlyle is one of his most famous.

7. Which of Whistler's paintings was directly influenced by Japanese art?

Answer: Old Battersea Bridge

In this painting, Whistler made Battersea Bridge look like the arched bridges in prints by such masters as Hokusai and {Hiroshige;} Whistler was one of the first Western artists to be influenced by Japanese art.

8. Which famed Irish-born poet-playwright was Whistler friends with for a time?

Answer: Oscar Wilde

The best known incident from this friendship was when Wilde, on hearing a bon mot, said aloud, 'I wish I had said that!', and Whistler replied, 'You will, Oscar, you will!'

9. Who was the art critic Whistler took to court for libel?

Answer: John Ruskin

The crusty Ruskin made a well-known put-down of one of Whistler's paintings...

10. Which of Whistler's works was disparaged?

Answer: The Falling Rocket

Ruskin said of Rocket: 'I have seen and heard much of cockney impudence before, but never expected a coxcomb to ask 200 guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face.' Whistler only got a farthing's worth for damages.

11. What is the title of Whistler's only published book?

Answer: The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies

It was published in 1890. Whistler also designed the layout and illustrated this collection of reminiscinces and essays (his notrious 'Ten O'Clock' lecture was published in 1885).

12. Which Spanish artist did Whistler revere?

Answer: Velasquez

Dali was a 20th-Century {artist;} Velasquez was cited by Whistler as one of his main influences.

13. What subject did Whistler fail at in West Point?

Answer: chemistry

'Were silicon a gas, I would have been a major-general' was Whistler's remark.

14. True or false: Whistler was also an etcher.

Answer: True

Many of Whistler's etchings are world-famed.

15. Which art form did Whistler never try?

Answer: sculpture

Whistler was never interested in sculpture.

Source: Author tjoebigham

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Snowman before going online.
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