Nocturne
James McNeill Whistler, 1879/1880
- Artist
- James McNeill Whistler
- Date
- 1879/1880
- Type
- Medium
- etching and drypoint on laid paper
- Dimensions
- 20.32 × 29.21 cm
- Collection
- National Gallery of Art, Washington
- Licence
- Public domain, CC0
Image description
The image shows a view of a calm body of water with a horizon line approximately one third from the bottom. Along the horizon, there are ships with tall masts, including a large ship slightly left of center. To the right, there are buildings, possibly a cityscape, with a tall structure resembling a lighthouse or tower. The image features soft, blur-like brushstrokes, creating a dreamlike quality. The color palette consists of monochromatic tones of gray, enhancing the serene atmosphere of the scene.