Nocturne: Palaces

1879/1880

James McNeill Whistler

Associated Names
James McNeill Whistler

Artist, American, 1834 - 1903

The image shows a street view from an angled perspective, looking down a quiet narrow alley or canal bordered by buildings on either side. The horizon is hidden by the structures that line the scene. The artwork is created with a textured technique using fine, linear brushstrokes that resemble etching, creating depth and shadow within the scene. Dark, dusky tones dominate the color palette, giving the image a monochromatic feel that emphasizes the structural lines and shading. Closest to us, the street bends gently, leading the eye towards a shadowy passage between the buildings, where lighter strokes indicate subtle architectural details. In the distance, the blurred termination of the street or canal suggests a sense of quiet and stillness, drawing attention to the play of light on the surrounding architecture.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Listed by E. G. Kennedy, 1910 as owned by Mrs H.O. Havemeyer; Collection of Mr. James Watson Webb [1884-1960] and Mrs. Electra Havemeyer Webb [1888-1960], Los Angeles and Vermont; gift to NGA 1942.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1963

  • American Artists as Print Makers, Westmoreland County Museum of Art, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 1963, no. 221.

2012

  • "Peintre-graveur: Adventures in Graphic Arts in the 19th Century", Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, Japan, 2012.

Bibliography

1910

  • Kennedy, Edward G. The Etched Work of Whistler. New York: Grolier Club, 1910, no. 202, iv/ix.

2012

  • MacDonald, Margaret F., Grischka Petri, Joanna Meacock.James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné. University of Glasgow on-line website at http://etchings.arts.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow, 2012: no. 200, state vi/xii.

Inscriptions

lower left on the verso: butterfly 'imp.'; on tab: butterfly 'imp.' [butterfly of ca 1886]

Watermarks

Strasbourg Lily / 'FI' (script) (Chicago watermarks 284 and 285)

Wikidata ID

Q64958864

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