' I never expected to hear a coxcomb ask 200 guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face.' (JOHN RUSKIN) What greater sarcasm can Mr Ruskin pass upon himself than that he preaches to young men what he cannot perform? '
(JAMES MCNEILL WIIISTLER)
In 1878 Whistler sued Ruskin for libel over his criticism of Nocturne in Black and Gold - The Falling Rocket when it was exhibited in London at the ' Greenery-yallery Grosvenor Gallery '. The two-day trial was a tragicomedy which emphasised the breach that was being driven between the avant-garde artist and the public - a breach which has continued to this day.
The story is told by Eleanor Bron , with and Written by DAVID THOMPSON Producer PATRICIA BRENT