This is a photograph of a garden at dusk with a house featuring a brightly lit window. In the foreground, a small garden is visible, containing various flowers surrounding a stepping-stone path, and a ladder leaning against a bush covered in pink flowers. A large tree with bare branches stands in front of the house. The house showcases a Mediterranean-style architecture with a white stucco exterior and a red tiled roof. The window is illuminated from inside, casting a warm glow onto the interior, providing a glimpse of the warm atmosphere indoors set against the twilight exterior.
Larry Sultan, Evening, Los Angeles, 1987, chromogenic print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of the artist), 2015.19.4511

July 23, 2026 - January 31, 2027

Nocturnes

Details

  • Dates

    July 23, 2026 - January 31, 2027

  • Locations

    West Building

    West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G39

  • Ticketing Information

    Admission is always free and passes are not required

What does the night let us imagine?

Nocturnes can create a sense of tranquility . . . or mystery and unease. See how eight photographers bring a modern, cinematic approach to creating art inspired by the night. Then, imagine a story, craft a poem, or share a reflection in response. Commissioned music and special lighting immerse you in an installation about our experiences after dark.

Selected works

This is a photograph of a garden at dusk with a house featuring a brightly lit window. In the foreground, a small garden is visible, containing various flowers surrounding a stepping-stone path, and a ladder leaning against a bush covered in pink flowers. A large tree with bare branches stands in front of the house. The house showcases a Mediterranean-style architecture with a white stucco exterior and a red tiled roof. The window is illuminated from inside, casting a warm glow onto the interior, providing a glimpse of the warm atmosphere indoors set against the twilight exterior.
Larry Sultan, Evening, Los Angeles, 1987, chromogenic print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of the artist), 2015.19.4511
The image is captured from ground-level, showing a narrow alleyway in a residential area. The alley stretches into the distance with bends, bordered by buildings on one side and bushes and trees on the other. Streetlights illuminate the path, including one close by and a couple further away, casting a warm glow on the wet pavement. Puddles of water reflect the light. A dimly-lit house on the left has faint light from its windows, indicating nighttime. The scene features deep shadows and soft, warm artificial lighting, creating a muted yet contrasting night setting.
Guadalupe Rosales, shortcut, 2022, inkjet print and engraved aluminum frame, Gift of Reid Walker, 2024.183.1
The image shows a snow-covered parking area with a building and car on the right side. The building has horizontal siding, two windows with one glowing, and no visible horizon. A car is parked parallel to the building. The scene has a green color palette with yellow light from the window contrasting with the cold tones outside. The night sky above shows a gradient from black to warm orange near tree silhouettes.
Todd Hido, #7373, 2009, printed 2016, chromogenic print, Gift of Jamie Lunder, 2016.188.2
The image depicts two people outdoors, seated on the ground. One person has dark hair tied up, crouching near a small fire. The other person, with light blonde dreadlocks, faces the camera. The first person wears dark clothing while the second person wears a red shirt with black stripes. The background includes greenery, a wire fence, and an orange-hued sunset sky.
Tom Hunter, The Vale of Rest, 2000, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of The Heather and Tony Podesta Collection, Washington DC), 2015.19.5253
The image shows a woman standing outdoors, holding an object in her hands. She is dressed in a white tank top and light-colored shorts, barefoot. In the background, there is a wooden fence with a gate, a patch of grass, a parked car, a lit-up camper trailer, and a large tree providing shade. The sky is a dusky blue tone, suggesting evening or early night illumination from artificial lights.
Gregory Crewdson, Untitled (Second Skin), 2001–2002, chromogenic print, Gift of James K. Patterson, © Gregory Crewdson, 2023.163.2

Sonic environment

Before you visit, preview the sonic environment photographer and sound artist Saam Gabbay created for Nocturnes. Inspired by the pictures on view, he evokes the wonder and mystery of the night. Gabbay mixed audio he recorded from nature and city streets with original acoustic and electronic music to craft unique tracks for every work.

Organization  

Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Curated by Andrea Nelson, associate curator of photographs

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The image shows a group of men standing in a tunnel or mine shaft. The upper half of their bodies is visible, with several standing in the foreground and others in the background. The men are wearing headlamps on their helmets, illuminating their soot-covered faces. Some of the men have short-cropped hair visible beneath their helmets. They are dressed in rugged, dust-stained work clothes suitable for mining, such as overalls and jackets. One man in the front holds a mining drill, while another holds a tin canister. A metal structure is visible in the background, indicating a mining operation setting, with dark and industrial surroundings.
Closing soon

Exhibition:  Beneath the Surface

Exhibition:  Sky Hopinka