Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

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Nocturne in Blue and Silver

Titles

Only one title is known:

  • 'Nocturne in Blue and Silver' (1876, Society of French Artists). 1

Description

The sole description is based on a review in the The Glasgow Herald:

‘A “Nocturne in Blue and Silver” (145) is a girl leaning on a balustrade and looking out over a moonlit sea full of feeling and poetry, and showing Mr Whistler’s powers at their best.’ 2

Annabel Lee, The Hunterian
Annabel Lee, The Hunterian
Sketch for 'Annabel Lee', The Hunterian
Sketch for 'Annabel Lee', The Hunterian
Symphony in Green and Violet, Freer Gallery of Art
Symphony in Green and Violet, Freer Gallery of Art

The description does not match any painting identified so far. Annabel Lee [YMSM 079] and Sketch for 'Annabel Lee' [YMSM 080] show a woman leaning on a railing, but not looking out over a moonlit sea. Several of the so-called 'Six Projects', particularly Symphony in Green and Violet [YMSM 083], include figures, railings and sea, but are not nocturnes.

The painting may have been destroyed, lost, or painted over by Whistler. It is also possible that the art critic was incorrect in identifying or describing the picture.

Site

Unknown.

Notes:

1: Anon., 'Fine Art Exhibitions in London', The Glasgow Herald, Glasgow, 25 April 1876, p. 3.

2: Ibid.

Last updated: 15th January 2020 by Margaret