The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies is a book by the painter James McNeill Whistler, published in 1890. The book was in part a response to, in part a transcript of, Whistler's famous libel suit against critic John Ruskin. Ruskin, in a review of the inaugural showing at the Grosvenor Gallery, had referred to Whistler's painting Nocturne in Black and Gold – The Falling Rocket as "flinging a pot of paint in the public's face." The book contains Whistler's letters to newspapers chronicling his many petty grievances against various acquaintances and friends.

Contents

• Bbc fine art collection 5 of 7 the gentle art of making enemies whistler
• Dee kilgo presents the gentle art of making enemies whistler in victorian england
• References

Whistler biographer Stanley Weintraub suggests the book was controversial enough that Whistler might have been better known for it than for his art at the time of his death.