The world's leading museums continue to display their treasures as part of the Tretyakov Gallery's 150th anniversary celebrations. This time the festivity programme hosts a show, featuring 19th century painter James Whistler.

Whistler's works have come from different parts of the world, ranging from the National Gallery of Art in Washington to the Tate in Britain. 

James Whistler was born in the U.S.in 1834 but at the age of nine his family moved to Russia where they spent 5 years. These years turned out to be formative for his artistic talent and influenced his future. Young and impressionable, he attended art classes at the St Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts and these years left a mark on his entire life. 

“It's clear from our research into Whistler's life that he did stay interested in Russia and sometimes he even told, which was not true, that he was born in St Petersburg,” professor of Glasgow University Margaret McDonald remarks. Perhaps he meant that his art was born in St Petersburg. 

Experts say that he was influenced by Karl Brullov and Ivan Ayvasovsky's artistry. In his turn, Whistler had some impact on Russian painters: he had a Russian apprentice.  

Part of the show is specially dedicated to the connection between Whistler and some Russian artists, featuring works by Russian painters who either were influenced by Whistler or created pieces in the same manner. 

Though James Whistler is an acclaimed and respected artist among the art connoisseurs, he is quite unknown to the general public. However, revealing this intriguing connection with Russia will perhaps bring about a new wave of interest in his work.