Nights: Rome, Venice, in the Aesthetic Eighties; London, Paris, in the Fighting Nineties

A vivid portrait of James McNeill Whistler unfolds across the cafés of Rome, the canals of Venice, and the salons of London and Paris. The narrative follows his early struggles, his restless pursuit of a personal style, and the lively artistic circles that shaped his vision. Interwoven with anecdotes about fellow painters, poets and critics, the story captures the restless energy of the aesthetic eighties and the fierce debates of the fighting nineties.

The author’s own memories lend an intimate, almost conversational tone, while a wealth of reproduced plates brings Whistler’s work to life for the ear. From etchings of bustling streets to sketches of quiet studios, each illustration deepens the sense of place and personality. Listeners are invited to wander the galleries of his world, feeling the brushstrokes and hearing the whispered critiques that defined an era.