His varying shades of black and white are well place to produce the appearance of a woman who is content within her environment. This portrait has stood the test of time and has been called a masterpiece. The purpose of this painting if it were to be based on Whistler s idea, is to give evidence to the use of lines, color, contrast, and composition. It is very helpful for the viewer to understand the artist before making any judgement regarding this portrait. One might view the painting as just a woman sitting in the chair, yet with looking more toward the artists interpretation the viewer would become more involved with the color use, lines and composition.
Whistler asks nothing more of the viewer than to except that it be a work of art.
The emphasis on visual representation in this portrait might have made it difficult to express philosophical or moral ideas. Yet, the fact that millions of people have identified with this portrait, with the love for their own mother, suggests that Whistler was more inspired by human significance than his theories allowed him to admit. His barrage of shenanigans make if very clear how hard Whistler labored to become part of his adopted land. It was felt that Whistler saw the Europe in which he lived through the eyes of his own loneliness.