Mother Whistler Day is annually observed on May 18. Instead of honouring the mother of the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler, from whom the day’s name is derived, it is a celebration of the art of whistling. Although the majority of people can whistle, not everyone can. You may wonder why something like whistling is celebrated. In any case, why not? Life is too brief not to celebrate things, particularly those that, when done well, can produce a melodious sound. Whistling is the production of a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing air through a tiny hole between the lips or teeth; it has been utilised in films, songs, and other forms of art.
The background of Mother Whistler Day
Do you recognise the name James Abbot McNeil Whistler? Well, he was an American artist who began painting a portrait of his mother when the designated model failed to appear. It eventually became one of the most famous paintings in the world. It is one of the few paintings by an American artist who resides outside the United States. The painting, titled Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, was acquired by the French government in 1891 and is now housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
The subject of the painting is Anna McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s mother. The painting measures 56.81 by 63.94 inches (1,442 mm 1,609 mm), and she posed for it while residing in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, with her son in London. After nearly being rejected by the Academy, the piece was exhibited at the 104th Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Art in London in 1872. Whistler pawned the work after it attracted several imitators and was displayed at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris. Thomas Carlyle, a prominent philosopher, viewed the painting and consented to sit for a similar composition, which was titled Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2, thereby making the previous painting Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1.
The Mother Whistler has been featured in music and films, including “Bean” (1997) and “I Am Legend” (2007), both starring Will Smith.
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MOTHER WHISTLER DAY ACTIVITIES
Raise consciousness of Mother Whistler Day
Begin the party by spreading the message. In the end, the more, the better.
Enter a whistling competition.
Join a whistling community to enhance your whistling skills and to meet other proficient whistlers. Not only is it enjoyable, but it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people.
Visit the statue of Whistler’s mother
Visit the statue of Whistler’s Mother in Ashland, Pennsylvania. To commemorate the occasion, take photos and publish them to your social media accounts.
5 WHISTLING SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” contains a lot of whistling and is one of the most popular in the world.
The 2010 release of “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars featured a whistling-heavy chorus.
Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera performed “Moves like Jagger” with a lot of whistling.
The composition ‘Winds of Change’ was performed by the Scorpions at the conclusion of ‘The Cold War’ and featured whistling at the beginning and end.
‘Home,’ performed by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros in 2010, was another song that featured whistling.
MOTHER WHISTLER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 18 | Thursday |
| 2024 | May 18 | Saturday |
| 2025 | May 18 | Sunday |
| 2026 | May 18 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 18 | Tuesday |