after eight years in russia, the fami returned and settled pomfret, nnecticut. ( rapid drumbeats ) in 1851, whistler entered the military academy at west point. whistler was often in my room and there made skches in india ink. there were those who divined the dawning of genius, but self-denial and obedience to orders were the requirements for success at west point. whistler was discharged the 15th of june, 1854 for deficiency in conduct and chemistry-- general loomis l. langdon, fellow cadet. the following year whistler arrived in paris to make his name as an artist. his first series of etchings known as "the french set," was well received. but the french salon showcase for grand hisrical and mythogic pictures, rejected his first important painting, "at the piano." ( piano music ) nonetheles the picture's straightforwarfocus on a modern, domestic scene, won the praise of gustave courbet, leader of the realist school. whistler soon entered the most advanced circles of parisian art, making friends with the painters edouard manet and henri fantin-latour, and the poet charles baudelaire.