What American painted Arrangement in Gray and White, a painting of his mother?

• A. Thomas Eakins
• B. Edward Hopper
• C. Grant Wood
• D. James Whistler

Answer: (D)

Recognizing the artist behind the iconic grayscale portrait of his mother. The painting Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, popularly known as Whistler's Mother, is a portrait of James McNeill Whistler’s mother, Anna McNeill Whistler. Whistler, an American artist who spent much of his career in Europe, titled these works “arrangements” to emphasize composition and tonal harmony over narrative detail. The piece is famous for its stark, quiet composition—the seated figure in a dark dress against a pale gray background—focusing on form and mood rather than color. Among the artists listed, only James Whistler created this portrait of his mother; the others are known for different subjects and styles.