Nocturne: The Solent

“Nocturne painting” is a term coined by James Abbott McNeill Whistler to describe a painting style that depicts scenes evocative of the night, or subjects as they appear in a veil of light; in twilight; or in the absence of direct light. In broader usage, the term has come to refer to any painting of a night scene (or night-piece) such as Rembrandt's, The Night Watch. Whistler used the term within the title of his works to represent paintings with a "dreamy, pensive mood" by applying a musical name. He also titled (and retitled) works using other terms associated with music, such as, a symphony, harmony, study, or arrangement, to emphasize the tonal qualities and the composition, and to de-emphasize the narrative content.