A Closer Look at Whistler's Fire Wheel
Tate · Published on September 7, 2026
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Description
Conservation work that was considered impossible now reveals new details of a celebrated night scene by James McNeill Whistler. Take a closer look alongside conservator Gabriella Macaro, as she tests paint solutions and reveals the scientific processes that allowed this breakthrough. 00:00 - Intro to Whistler's Nocturnes 00:15 - Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel (1875) 00:31 - Newly visible details 01:05 - Conservation challenge and new method 01:55 - Scientific examination of paintings and pigments 02:27 - Testing paint for The Fire Wheel's ground layer 04:18 - Before and after 04:28 - Retouching 05:08 - Whistler's letters See this painting and more masterpieces by Whistler in the new survey of his work, open at Tate Britain until 27 September 2026: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/whistler Subscribe for more stories from behind the scenes at Tate: http://goo.gl/X1ZnEl To license Tate films please email film.licensing@tate.org.uk