The artwork, titled “Nocturne, Blue and Silver: Battersea Reach,” was created by James McNeill Whistler around the years 1872 to 1878. It belongs to the genre of marina, which focuses on maritime scenes.
This painting is imbued with a serene, almost ethereal quality, encapsulated by a misty blue tone that suffuses the entire scene. The subtle gradations of blue and silver evoke a tranquil night under an overcast sky, with soft, muted colors blending seamlessly to create a sense of calm. Illuminations are scarcely visible, appearing as minute, faint dots of warm orange light that punctuate the scene, suggesting distant lamplights or reflections on the water’s surface. The hazy outline of a small boat and its occupants are discernible in the lower-left corner, adding a touch of human presence to the expansive water. The blurred aesthetic and restrained color palette embody Whistler’s atmospheric style, focusing on mood and abstraction rather than on detailed depictions.
