Nocturne in Black and Gold, The Falling Rocket

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Whistler depicts Venice's evocative water-ways from a viewpoint familiar to tourists with the Ducal Palace behind us, we look south across the lagoon toward the island church of Sa n Giorgio Maggiore at right, and the distant lights of the Lido, then as now a popular resort, along the horizon. Although many painted this view, Whistler took the unconventional approach of showing the scene at night, using mist and darkness to convey its magic. His washes of thinned-down paint make the church's bulky dome and tower seem dreamlike; the muscular gondoliers in the foreground appear as ghostly silhouettes. Only the lights flickering on the horizon seem substantial and real. Title Nocturne in Blue and Silver The Lagoon, Venice Creator Lifespan 1834 - 1903 Creator Nationality American (active in England) Creator Gender Male Date Created 1879 - 1880 Physical Dimensions w654 x h501.6 mm Type Paintings Rights Emily L. Ainsley Fund. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved. Medium Oil on canvas Inscription Lower right butterfly cartouche; Reverse Nocturne Blue & Silver/The Lagoon Venice¡ª/by J. McNeill Whistler¡ª By James Abbott McNeill Whistler Show more