The Resume

(July 14, 1834-July 17, 1903)
Resided in London and Paris
Best known for his painting 'Arrangement in Grey and Black' ('Whistler's Mother')
Paintings include 'At the Piano,' 'Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl,' 'Nocturnes' and 'Peacock Room'

Why he might be annoying:

He was arrogant, pretentious and pushy.
He called his paintings 'symphonies' and 'harmonies.'
He wore outlandish clothes and a monocle.
When the art critic John Ruskin wrote a bad review of his painting, Whistler sued him.
He was terrible with money.
He built a lavish house for himself, even though he couldn't afford it.
When his dog got sick, he took it to a human doctor, not a vet.
As a student at West Point he was required by engineering class to draw a bridge. He drew it with three boys relaxing on it. Ordered again to redraw a bridge he did so with the boys relaxing on the grass next to the bridge. He was given a third opportunity and this time drew the bridge with three tombstones next to it. He was then expelled.

Why he might not be annoying:

'Whistler's Mother' is one of the most famous paintings in history.
His father died of cholera.
His beloved wife died of cancer eight years into their marriage.
He won the legal case against Ruskin, but went broke paying the fees.
He had a sharp wit.
When a bill collector caught him drinking champagne at home, he said: 'I assure you I haven't paid for the champagne either.'

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 19th Century Painters
• Absinthe Drinkers
• Cole Porter's 'You're the Top' References
• Eminent Victorians
• Hall of Fame for Great Americans (Ranked: 1930)
• His and Hers
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [U-Z]
• I Attended West Point
• I Died in 1903 (Ranked: 69)
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing a Monocle or Specs
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught Smoking
• Painters
• Profiles 13001-13250 (Ranked: 13108)
• Satirists and Wits
• Satirized on Rocky and Bullwinkle
• Smithsonian’s 100 Most Significant Americans of All Time [2015] (Ranked: 6)
• Walruses
• Wannabe Brits
• Wieland Kalligaro's Profiles [Series 4]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 37 Votes: 51.35% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 59 Votes: 71.19% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 75 Votes: 54.67% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 26 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 32 Votes: 59.38% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 76 Votes: 47.37% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 107 Votes: 54.21% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 173 Votes: 53.18% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 38 Votes: 44.74% Annoying