Prelude To Modernism

James Mcnell Whistler was a painter with strong characteristics in nineteenth century while European art was changing from classicalism to modernism. The relationship between social culture environment and his personal unique characteristics is in tense and unharmonious at that time. The works of Whistler like his personality and experience was not recognized by society. His name related to all the European art movements and art trends in later 19c, but his works belongs to none of them.This paper analyzes the reasons of art trend transition of Whistler's works in different periods historically; and instructs the relationship and influence with other art trend and artists in the same period. The two lines which interlaces together and with his personal experience, personalities influence to painting forms a cubic web. We can understand the great achievement of Whistler at that time clearly.Finally, this paper concludes that James Mcnell Whistler is an example of artists who was absorbed in music painting language exploration. The transition of Whistler's art ideology mainly shows on the exploration of his music painting language, but the transition owns to his reference of Japanese Yamato-e art and Chinese style. This was the unique parts which are different to other artists at the same time, and also his exploration is all around. Whistler is weak body and his tense and sensitive personality and his favored artistic characters of esteeming aesthetics and symbolism have same origin. The exploration of the new art language of Whistler shows the beginning of modernism and also established his influence in art history, also opens the pave to the communication of England and the continent of Europe.