Art about art: Whistler's Portrait of Pablo de Sarasate

Whistler and Sarasate's collaboration for Arrangement in Black: Portrait of Senor Pablo de Sarasate in 1884, stimulated a friendship which endured for at least a decade. Their written correspondence indicates that not only did they socialise during this period, but that each followed the other's career with interest. The portrait documents Whistler's admiration for Sarasate's particular style of musical virtuosity, and may be considered a reliable depiction of Sarasate's stage manner. Furthermore, a significant degree of artistic sympathy between the two men is apparent, which suggests that Whistler may have been influenced by his association with the violinist. As art about art, Whistler used his portrait of Sarasate to extend the concept that his own artistic activity was akin to that of the musician - a concept he supported and validated by refering to Velasquez's art.