REVIEW: James McNeill Whistler

The first time I attended the Whistler retrospective at Tate Britain, I wasn't sure it would be a good one to recommend for kids. However, spurred on my sister and her15 year old son, who went together and both loved it, I revisited this morning and have changed my mind. On a sunny Sunday morning, lots of families with children of all ages were taking refuge from the blazing heat and I can report that everyone I spoke to seemed to be engaging with it hugely.

The outspoken, argumentative Whistler was nothing if not a character, and the show draws you into his life. The first painting you see when you enter is the raffish Whistler himself, brush in hand, standing in his studio (just up the road from Tate Britain in Chelsea's Cheyne Walk), two models behind him. Here are his paints and easel, his Japanese-inspired screen and a hanging wall cupboard made by his future wife. Look into the ornate mirror on the wall opposite. How do you see yourself? How would you like to be seen? How would this master of portraiture see you....?

Whistler famously signed his paintings with a butterfly mark. In this first gallery, children are introduced to Whistler's butterflies and can follow them through the whole exhibition.

After a brief stint in the army, which he hated, 21 year old Whistler left his family in the United States and arrived in Paris. He threw himself into bohemian life and his hugely evocative etchings of Parisian street life sit under a quote from Baudelaire, 'Thousands of floating existences... in the underworld of a great city'.

Next stop, London, and the beginning of his successful career as a portrait artist. It was also the start of his love affair with the River Thames. London children will enjoy spotting their home city, from Chelsea to Wapping, in all its many seasons and moods, while older siblings will appreciate the striking modernity of his approach.

Whistler the combative firebrand is to the fore again with a recreation of the Peacock Room, the subject of a famous falling out between him and his patron, Frederick Leyland. An audio re-enactment of the feud runs every 10 minutes and is worth catching. Ditto the recreation of his famous 10 O'clock Lecture on the Nature of Painting in the final room. Whiz through the couple of rooms of travel paintings and take a seat to listen to him opine on nature vs art and more. Lots to discuss about art history, criticism etc afterwards.

There is an excellent children's book, in the Meet the Artist series, available to buy in the gift shop. Or walk up to his studio at 96 Cheyne Walk where there is an English Heritage blue plaque and listen to the brilliant audio of his life, free to download from Blue Plaques Talk Back.

James McNeill Whistler Tate Modern to 26 September. Tickets: £24 adults, £5 ages 18–24 with Tate Collective, U12s free.