James Whistler (1834-1903) was an American Painter and etcher. His lawsuit against Ruskin was an example of his efforts to pubiicize his art. He was influenced by Velasquez and Japanese print artists. Among his best known paintings are Old Battersea Bridge, Portrait of My Mother, Nocturne St. Mark's Venice, and Portrait of Thomas Carlyle. This painting, titled The Artist's Studio, dates to 1865 when Whistler was in London. It shows the artist standing in profile before his easel.