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Who was Jo Hiffernan in James McNeill Whistler’s life and art?
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James McNeill Whistler
Portrait of American-born artist James McNeill Whistler, c. 1868.
Jo Hiffernan was an Irish woman who played a significant role in the life and artistic career of James McNeill Whistler. She was a central figure in Whistler’s bohemian lifestyle in London, where the two lived together for a long period.1
Beyond her personal relationship with the artist, Hiffernan served as a model for his work. She was also a model for the French painter Gustave Courbet, reflecting the connections Whistler maintained within the French modern movement during his career.1