Portrait Of The Artist As A Civil Servant

[ArtMan]

While browsing for Coast and Geodetic Survey material on the National Archives website, I stumbled across a familiar name whose survey-related government service may not be widely known.

 

I refer to James McNeill Whistler, the artist ("Whistler's Mother," etc.) who learned etching while employed in the cartographic section of the U.S. Coast Survey. He worked for only two months, however, because of his "unconventional work habits and his inability to conform to government routine." More information, including one of his etchings, can be found on the Archives website.